WINNIPEG, MB – Stemming from motions passed at the 2011 Hockey Manitoba Annual General Meeting there will new showcase events established for the 2011-12 season which will provide high-level competition for both male & female players of the Bantam age division. The motion passed a pilot project to form regional teams at the Bantam age division for next season and then to be reviewed at the 2012 Hockey Manitoba Annual General Meeting.

The season will consist of three major showcase events taking place in October, December, and February for both male & female categories respectively and are open to all regional teams throughout the province and Winnipeg. Hockey Manitoba will directly operate four of the six showcase events, first in October and then again in February, and will feature both male and female categories competing on the same weekends in the same facilities. Hosts for the two December showcase events will be decided through a bid application process which will allow any interested regional association or minor hockey association the opportunity to potentially host the event.

Both the male and female categories will also feature a Rural Provincial Championship event in March which will see all nine rural regional teams vying for the title. The champion of the Male Rural Provincial Championship will advance to a 3-game provincial championship series versus the champion of the Winnipeg Bantam 1 AAA league. The winner of the 3-game series will then move on to represent Manitoba at the 2012 Western Canada Bantam Championship in Alberta.

BANTAM AAA SHOWCASE (Female) – October 2011 – Hosted by Hockey Manitoba, dates/location TBA

BANTAM AAA SHOWCASE (Male) – October 2011 – Hosted by Hockey Manitoba, dates/location TBA

BANTAM AAA SHOWCASE (Female) – December 9-11, 2011 – Host TBA

BANTAM AAA SHOWCASE (Male) – December 2-4, 2011 – Host TBA

BANTAM AAA SHOWCASE (Female) – February 2011 – Hosted by Hockey Manitoba, dates/location TBA

BANTAM AAA SHOWCASE (Male) – February 2011 – Hosted by Hockey Manitoba, dates/location TBA

BANTAM RURAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Female) – March 16-18, 2011 – Host TBA

BANTAM RURAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Male) – March 16-18, 2011 – Host TBA

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (Male) – March 23-25, 2011 – Host TBA

Hockey Manitoba consists of ten regional hockey associations (or Regions) which are Brandon, Central Plains, Eastman, Interlake, Norman, Parkland, Pembina Valley, Westman South, Winnipeg, and Yellowhead. All regional associations are comprised of local Minor Hockey Associations (MHA) from within their respective geographical boundaries.

CLICK HERE FOR DECEMBER SHOWCASE & RURAL PROVINCIAL BID APPLICATIONS