Canadian Junior Football League
Current season, competition or edition: 2024 | |
 Official logo (2021) | |
| Sport | Canadian football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Commissioner | Jim Pankovich |
| Divisions | 3 |
| No. of teams | 19 teams |
| Country | Canada |
| Most recent champion(s) | Saskatoon Hilltops (2023) |
| Most titles | Saskatoon Hilltops |
| Domestic cup(s) | Canadian Bowl |
| Official website | cjfl |
The Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) is a national Major Junior Canadian football league consisting of 19 teams playing in five provinces across Canada. The teams compete annually for the Canadian Bowl. Many CJFL players move on to professional football careers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and elsewhere.
Formed May 8, 1974, the CJFL's formal mission statement is: "The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline, perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends."
A handful of standout players are typically signed directly to CFL rosters each season, while U Sports permits up to two years of play in leagues such as the CJFL before a player begins to lose eligibility.
The 9-team Quebec Junior Football League was formerly part of the CJFL, but eventually withdrew and now operates independently. Meanwhile, The Ontario Football Conference (OFC) consists of two divisions: Varsity Division (ages 11 to 19) and Junior Division (ages 17 to 22).[1] While the Junior Division remains affiliated to the CJFL and its teams compete for the Canadian Bowl, the Varsity Division is operated solely by the OFC.[1]
Teams
[edit]The CJFL has 19 teams as of 2024, including 7 in the B.C. conference, 6 in the Prairie conference, and 6 in the Ontario conference.
| Team | City | Stadium | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamloops Broncos | Kamloops, British Columbia | Hillside Stadium | 2007 |
| Langley Rams | Langley, British Columbia | McLeod Stadium | 1948 |
| Okanagan Sun | Kelowna, British Columbia | Apple Bowl | 1980 |
| Prince George Kodiaks | Prince George, British Columbia | Masich Place Stadium | 2022 |
| Valley Huskers | Chilliwack, British Columbia | Exhibition Stadium | 1999 |
| Vancouver Island Raiders | Nanaimo, British Columbia | NDSS Field | 2005 |
| Westshore Rebels | Langford, British Columbia | Starlight Stadium | 1971 |
| Team | City | Stadium | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Colts | Calgary, Alberta | Shouldice Athletic Park | 1967 |
| Edmonton Huskies | Edmonton, Alberta | Jasper Place Bowl | 1954 |
| Edmonton Wildcats | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion | 1948 |
| Regina Thunder | Regina, Saskatchewan | Mosaic Stadium | 1999 |
| Saskatoon Hilltops | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | SMF Field | 1947 |
| Winnipeg Rifles | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Maple Grove Park | 1999 |
| Team | City | Stadium | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTA Grizzlies | Toronto, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | 2014 |
| Hamilton Hurricanes | Hamilton, Ontario | Tim Hortons Field | 1963 |
| London Beefeaters | London, Ontario | City Wide Sports Complex | 1975 |
| Quinte Skyhawks | Belleville, Ontario | Mary Ann Sills Park | 2021 |
| Ottawa Sooners | Ottawa, Ontario | Keith Harris Stadium | 1960 |
| St. Clair Saints | Windsor, Ontario | Acumen Stadium | 1929 |
League map
[edit]
Future expansion
[edit]The Sault College Cougars are expected to debut as an expansion team in the Ontario Conference in the 2025 CJHL season.[2] The team will be based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and operated by Sault College.[3] A proposed expansion franchise for Lethbridge, Alberta, in the Prairie Conference was rejected by the league in 2023.[4]
Defunct teams
[edit]
- Abbotsford Air Force 1987–2006 (Abbotsford, B.C.)
- Brampton Bears 2009–2011 Brampton, Ontario)
- Brampton Satellites (Brampton, Ontario)
- Brantford Bisons (Brantford, Ontario)
- Burlington Braves, Burlington, Ontario)
- Burnaby Spartans 1956–1973 (Burnaby, B.C.)
- Calgary Mohawks (Calgary, Alberta)
- Calgary Cougars (Calgary, Alberta)
- Chateauguay Raiders (Châteauguay, Quebec)
- Cornwall Emards (Cornwall, Ontario)
- Fort Garry Lions (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Grand River Predators (Kitchener, Ontario)
- GTA Bears 2012–2013, Brampton, Ontario)
- Laval Scorpions (Laval, Quebec)
- Niagara Raiders (St. Catharines, Ontario)
- North Shore Lions 1947–1954 (North Vancouver (City and District), B.C.)
- North Shore Cougars 1955–1980 (North Vancouver (City and District), B.C.)
- Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs (Montreal, Quebec, merged with the Verdun Invictus, renamed to the Verdun Maple Leafs, then the Montreal Junior Alouettes, and finally the Montreal Junior Concordes)
- Oshawa Hawkeyes (Oshawa, Ontario)
- Ottawa Junior Riders moved back to the QJFL after 2005) (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Quebec City Citadelles, Quebec City, Quebec)
- Red Deer Packers (Red Deer, Alberta)
- Renfrew Trojans 1974–1993 (1994–2009 as the Vancouver Trojans) (Vancouver, B.C.)
- Medicine Hat Rattlers (Medicine Hat, Alberta
- Regina Rams 1954–1999 (moved to the CIS) (Regina, Saskatchewan)
- Richmond Raiders 1973–1992 Richmond, B.C.)
- Rosemount Bombers (Montreal, Quebec)
- Sault Ste. Marie Storm (Sault Ste. Marie), Quebec)
- Sherbrooke Blitz, (Sherbrooke, Quebec)
- South Shore Cobras, (St-Hubert, Quebec)
- St. Hubert Rebelles (Saint-Hubert), Quebec)
- St. Leonard Cougars (Montreal, Quebec)
- St. Vital Mustangs (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Thunder Bay Giants (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
- Toronto Junior Argonauts, (Toronto, Ontario)
- Tri-City Bulldogs 1991–2004 (Formed from the Vancouver Meralomas) Coquitlam, B.C.)
- Vancouver Blue Bombers 1947–1977 (Vancouver, B.C.)
- Vancouver Meralomas 1931–1990 (Vancouver, B.C.)
- Verdun Shamcats (Verdun, Quebec)
- Ville-Émard Juveniles (Ville-Émard, Quebec)
- Winnipeg Hawkeyes (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Winnipeg Rods (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Championships
[edit]The Saskatoon Hilltops have won the most national championships since 1974 with 18, followed by the Regina Rams with 11, and the Ottawa Sooners with 4. The national championship is known as the Canadian Bowl. Prior to 1989, league champions were awarded the Armadale Cup. The Leader Post Trophy was awarded under the auspices of the Canadian Amateur Football Association from 1925 through 1973.
Canadian Bowl
[edit]- 2024 – Windsor St. Clair Saints
- 2023 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2022 – Okanagan Sun
- 2021 – Langley Rams
- 2020 – Not awarded
- 2019 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2018 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2017 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2016 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2015 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2014 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2013 – Regina Thunder
- 2012 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2011 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2010 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2009 – Vancouver Island Raiders
- 2008 – Vancouver Island Raiders
- 2007 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2006 – Vancouver Island Raiders
- 2005 – Edmonton Huskies
- 2004 – Edmonton Huskies
- 2003 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2002 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2001 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 2000 – Okanagan Sun
- 1999 – Windsor AKO Fratmen
- 1998 – Regina Rams
- 1997 – Regina Rams
- 1996 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1995 – Regina Rams
- 1994 – Regina Rams
- 1993 – Regina Rams
- 1992 – Ottawa Sooners
- 1991 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1990 – Calgary Colts
- 1989 – Calgary Colts
Armadale Cup (1974–1988)
[edit]- 1988 – Okanagan Sun
- 1987 – Regina Rams
- 1986 – Regina Rams
- 1985 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1984 – Ottawa Sooners
- 1983 – Edmonton Wildcats
- 1982 – Renfrew Trojans
- 1981 – Regina Rams
- 1980 – Regina Rams
- 1979 – Ottawa Sooners
- 1978 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1977 – Edmonton Wildcats
- 1976 – Regina Rams
- 1975 – Regina Rams
- 1974 – Ottawa Sooners
Leader-Post Trophy
[edit]- 1973 – Regina Rams
- 1972 – Hamilton Hurricanes
- 1971 – Regina Rams
- 1970 – Regina Rams
- 1969 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1968 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1967 – Edmonton Wildcats
- 1966 – Regina Rams
- 1965 – Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs
- 1964 – Edmonton Huskies
- 1963 – Edmonton Huskies
- 1962 – Edmonton Huskies
- 1961 – Winnipeg Rods
- 1960 – Montreal Rosemount Bombers
- 1959 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1958 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1957 – Toronto Parkdale Lions
- 1956 – Winnipeg Rods
- 1955 – Winnipeg Rods
- 1954 – Windsor AKO Fratmen
- 1953 – Saskatoon Hilltops
- 1952 – Windsor AKO Fratmen
- 1951 – Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats
- 1950 – Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats
- 1949 – Hamilton Jr. Wildcats
- 1948 – Hamilton Jr. Wildcats
- 1947 – Vancouver Blue Bombers
- 1925 – Montreal AAA
References
[edit]- ^ a b "OFC History". OFCVarsity.com. Ontario Football Conference. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ McDonald, Mike (29 November 2023). "Sault College football expands into the CJFL". CTV News Northern Ontario. Bell Media. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Russon, Randy (5 December 2023). "Football will be the latest varsity sport at the Sault College". Sault This Week. Postmedia. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Opinko, David (29 March 2023). "Lethbridge Vipers denied for Canadian Junior Football League expansion". Lethbridge News Now. Pattison Media. Retrieved 4 August 2024.