Introducing the Winnipeg Monarchs.
In 2020, the Winnipeg Freeze were introduced as the newest team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and over the past four seasons have been one of two teams based in the city along with the Winnipeg Blues. Starting in 2025-26, the team will now be known as the Winnipeg Monarchs which has a deep connection to the city.
The original Winnipeg Monarchs were a junior hockey team that was founded in 1930 who competed in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League from 1930 to 1978. In 1978, they were eventually renamed the Winnipeg South Blues who are now known as the Winnipeg Blues. “We wanted to pay homage to the long hockey history that we have in Winnipeg and the MJHL as we begin this new chapter of Monarchs hockey” shared Monarchs Governor Chet Pickard.
“On behalf of the MJHL Board of Governors, we are excited at the new direction that the organization will be taking as they embark on this new era of Monarchs Hockey in Winnipeg and the MJHL,” shared MJHL Commissioner, Kevin Saurette. “With this change, the expectation is that the standards will be raised both on and off the ice, to help ensure positive progress and success for the organization moving forward for the benefit of all involved.”
Ownership felt the change was necessary to reflect the shift and new direction of the franchise.
Since the 2022-23 season, the Monarchs have played its home games at hockey for all centre and with the Winnipeg Blues leaving to call the RINK home in 2025-26 they will be the lone MJHL team tenant.
The team have launched an updated website at www.winnipegmonarchs.ca and new social media handles at @mjhlmonarchs on Instagram, Facebook and X.