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THE MOWAT CUP

The Mowat Cup is currently a Junior A Tier II Provincial Championship Tournament held by a Host team. The champions of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Pacific Junior Hockey League, and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League will vie for the Cup alongside the host. The tournament features a four-team round-robin and playoff to determine the 2024 Mowat Cup Champion.

The Mowat Cup was donated to the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association, BCAHA, by Mr. John Mowat of Victoria, B.C. for competition of junior 'A' hockey clubs begining in the 1927-28 season.

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The Mowat Cup had been exclusive to the British Columbia Hockey League after the 1999 Championship.

The BCHL became ineligible for the Mowat Cup in 2023 when it became and independent league operating outside of BCHockey and Hockey Canada.

Other leagues that were eligible for the Mowat Cup are...

• Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL - 2024 Only)
• Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League (PCJHL/PacA)
• Peace-Cariboo Junior Hockey League (P-CJHL)
• Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL)
• West Kootenay Junior Hockey League (WJHL)
• Vancouver City Amateur Hockey League (VCAHL)
• Victoria City Amateur Hockey League (VCAHL)

In 1976, 1977, and 1979 the PCJHL champion defeated the BCJHL champion at the Mowatt Cup to advance to the Doyle Cup.

The BCHL stopped using the Mowat Cups designation as of the 2016-17 season, simply awarding the Fred Page Cup subsquently the Mowat Cup was retired after 2016. After the Mowat Cup retirement the BCHockey started using Junior A Champions in its official handbook as of the 2016-17 Season.

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PHYSICAL CHANGES

At some point in it's history the Mowat Cups' base was replaced. The actuall trophy sat on a round column of wood which sat on a round slightly up tapered base. (Image to the left) The column had on it two rows of metal shields which were engraved with team names.

The image to the right is the Mowat Cup awarded to the 1972 Vernon Junior Essos, and was this way until 2023.

In 2024 a new base was added to the Mowat Cup (image top left) in preperation for the reintrodution as a Junior A tier II Championship.

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BCHockey Handbook

You can find official results in the BCHockey Handbook

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1928 The first competition for the Cup was limited to a one game affair as ice time was not available. Fernie defeated Ex-King George in Vancouver. Fernie had won the right to play in the final having defeated Armstrong 17-1, Salmon Arm 16-4, and Revelstoke 7-1

• 1928 - Fernie Rotarians
• Roy Kirkpatrick, WKJHL
• 1929 - Nelson Cubs
• WKJHL

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• 1930 - Vancouver Ex-King George
• VCAHL
• 1931 - Vancouver Ex-King George
• VCAHL

1932 The Trail Smoke Eaters won their first of 22 titles over the next 29 seasons that the Cup was competed for. They defeated Merritt in Trail.

• 1932 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• R.E. Wilson, WKJHL
• 1933 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• William 'Scotty' Ross, WKJHL
• 1934 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• William 'Scotty' Ross, WKJHL
• 1935 - Vancouver Ex-King George
• VCAHL
• 1936 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• Steve Matovich, WKJHL
• 1937 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• Steve Matovich, WKJHL
• 1938 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• Steve Matovich, WKJHL
• 1939 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• William 'Scotty' Ross, WKJHL

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• 1940 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• William 'Scotty' Ross WKJHL
• 1941 - No Competition
• 1942 - No Competition
• 1943 - Trail Smoke Eaters
• Gerry Thompson, WKJHL

1944 The Trail Smoke Eaters won the Mowat and the Abbott Cup, Western Canada Finals, only to be defeated by the Oshawa Generals for the Memorial Cup National Championship.

• 1944 - Trail Smoke Eaters ^{[4] [5]}
• Gerry Thompson, WKJHL
• 1945 - No Competition
• 1946 - Nanaimo Clippers
• Walter 'Bus' Matthews, WKJHL
• 1947 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Gerry Thomson
• 1948 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Hedley Marshall
• 1949 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Jimmy Anderson

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• 1950 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Jimmy Anderson
• 1951 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Ron Gardiner
• 1952 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Jimmy Anderson
• 1953 - Vernon Juniors
• Bud Anderson
• 1954 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Robert Milne
• 1955 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Leo Soligo
• 1956 - Vernon Juniors
• Sarge Sammartino
• 1957 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Jimmy Mailey
• 1958 - Warfield Juniors
• Robert Clements
• 1959 - Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters
• Robert Clements

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• 1960 - Penticton Vees
• Bernie Bathgate
• 1961 - Trail-Rossland Smoke Eaters
• Ray Hamilton

1962 Marked the initial year of the Okanagan Mainline Junior A Hockey League and as their champions the Kamloops Rockets defeated the Trail Smoke Eaters in two straight games for the title.

• 1962 - Kamloops Jr. Rockets (OMJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Kenny Stewart
  vs Trail Smoke Eaters (KJHL), 2 games to 0

1963 Saw the last Mowat Cup victory for the Trail Smoke Eaters, to date, as they defeated the New Westminster Royals, for it was their 22nd Mowat Cup win.

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• 1963 - Trail Smoke Eaters (KJHL)^{[2] [3]}
• Ray Hamilton
  vs New Westminster Royals (Pacific Coast JHL) who defeated the Kamloops Jr. Rockets (OMJHL) ^{[1] [2]}
• 1964 - Kamloops Jr. Rockets (OJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Kenny Stewart
  vs Trail Smoke Eaters (KJHL), 2 games to 1
  vs New Westminster Royals (Pacific Coast JHL), 4 games to 0
• 1965 - New Westminster Royals (Pacific Coast JHL) ^{[2] [3]}
• Robert "Bob" Fenton
  vs Kelowna Buckaroos (OJHL) ^{[1] [2]}, 3 games to 2 who previously defeated Trail Smoke Eaters (KJHL), 2 games to 0
• 1966 - New Westminster Royals (Pacific Coast JHL) ^{[2] [3]}
• Robert "Bob" Fenton
  vs Kamloops Kraft Kings (OJHL) ^{[1] [2]}, 4 games to 0 who previously defeated Trail Smoke Eaters (KJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1967 - New Westminster Royals (Pacific Coast JHL) ^{[2] [3] [4]}
• Robert "Bob" Fenton
  vs Penticton Broncos (OJHL) ^{[1] [2]}, 4 games to 0

1967 The new British Columbia Junior A Hockey League was formed with the New Westminster Royals(PCJHL), the Victoria Cougars(PCJHL) and the four team Okanagan Junior Hockey League .

• 1968 - Penticton Broncos (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• Jack Taggert
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC
• 1969 - Victoria Cougars (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Doug Anderson
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC

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• 1970 - Vernon Essos (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• Oddie Lowe
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC
• 1971 - Kamloops Rockets (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2]}
• Joe Tennant
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC
• Note: Penticton Broncos ^[3] chosen for 'Regional Playdowns'
• 1972 - Vernon Essos (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Oddie Lowe
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC
• 1973 - Penticton Broncos (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• Don Slater
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC
• 1974 - Kelowna Buckaroos (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• Don Culley
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC

1975 Bellingham Blazers are the first U.S.A based team to win. Bellingham would later move the franchise to Trail as the Trail Smoke Eaters.

• 1975 - Bellingham Blazers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Lawrence Gingras
  vs Coquitlam Comets (Pacific Coast JHL) , 2 games to 0
• 1976 - Nor Wes Caps ^[2]
• Brian Crowe
  vs Nanaimo Clippers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2]} by default.
  Note: The Nor Wes Caps do not compete for the BC vs AB Series
  The Richmond Sockeyes ^[3] of the Pacific Coast JHL were then chosen to represent BC.
• 1977 - Richmond Sockeyes (Pacific Coast JHL) ^{[2] [3] [4]}
• J. Henderson
  vs Nanaimo Clippers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2]}, 2 games to 0
• 1978 - Merritt Centennials (BCJHL) ^{[2] [3] [4]}
• Joe Tennant
  vs Richmond Sockeyes (Pacific Coast JHL), 3 games to 0
• Note: Merritt was selected by the BCJHL to advance to the CAHA playdowns.
• 1979 - Richmond Sockeyes (Pacific Coast JHL) ^{[2] [3]}
• J. Wild, D. Purdy
  vs Kamloops Rockets (BCJHL) ^[1] ,2 games to 1
  Note: The Bellingham Ice Hawks ^[1] won the BCJHL,vs Kamloops, but were excluded from CAHA 'Regional Playdowns'
  - The BC vs AB Series was not contested.

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• 1980 - Penticton Knights (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Marc Pezzin
  Automatic winners, no other JR.'A' league in BC

1981 Marked the inaugural season in which the British Columbia Junior Hockey League played the Peace Cariboo Junior Hockey League for the Mowat Cup.

• 1981 - Penticton Knights (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Marc Pezzin
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0, 3-0 & 5-1
• 1982 - Penticton Knights (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Marc Pezzin
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0
• 1983 - Abbotsford Flyers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Don Berry, John Olver
  vs William Lake Mustangs (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0
• 1984 - Langley Eagles (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• John Olver,P. Logan
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (Peace Cariboo JHL),2 games to 0
• 1985 - Penticton Knights (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Rick Kozuback, N. Iannone
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0

1986 The Penticton Knights became the first ever B.C. team to win the National Title as they defeated Prince George for the Mowat Cup, Calgary for the Doyle Cup BC/AB Championship, Winnipeg for the Abbott Cup Western Canadian Championship and then won the Centennial Cup Tournament with a final win over host Cole Harbour.

• 1986 - Penticton Knights (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Rick Kozuback, N. Iannone
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0
• 1987 - Richmond Sockeyes (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Orland Kurtenbach
  vs Quesnell Millionaires (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0
• 1988 - Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Ernie Gare, George Fargher
  vs Grande Prairie North Stars (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0
• 1989 - Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Ernie Gare, Ed Johnstone
  vs Williams Lake Mustangs (Peace Cariboo JHL), 2 games to 0

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1990 The Mowat Cup Series was changed to a best-of-five for the first time. The New Westminster Royals of the BCJHL defeated Prince George Spruce Kings PCJHL in three straight 7-4, 8-5, 7-4. In the Centennial Cup, hosted by Vernon, the Vernon Lakers defeated New Westminster for the National Title with a come-from-behind 6-5 overtime win.

• 1990 - New Westminster Royals (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• John Olver, D. Pisiak, V. Lemire, Harvy Smyl
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (Peace Cariboo JHL), 3 games to 0

1991 The Vernon Lakers of the BCJHL defeated Prince George Spruce Kings of the newly formed Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League in three straight. 5-1,7-5 and 5-2.

• 1991 - Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Eddie Johnstone, Keith Chase
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (RMJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1992 - Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Eddie Johnstone, Phil Esposito
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (RMJHL),3 games to 0
• 1993 - Kelowna Spartans (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Jim Hammett
  vs Williams Lake Mustangs (RMJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1994 - Kelowna Spartans (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Jim Hammett
  vs Kimberly Dynamiters (RMJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1995 - Chilliwack Chiefs (BCJHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Harvey Smyl
  vs Cranbrook Colts (RMJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1996 - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [7]}
• Rob Bremner, Troy Mick
  vs Prince George Spruce Kings (RMJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1997 - South Surrey Eagles (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [7]}
• Rick Lanz, J. Short, Mark Holick
  vs Cranbrook Colts (RMJHL), 3 games to 0
• 1998 - South Surrey Eagles (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [7]}
• Mark Holick, J. Short
  vs Cranbrook Colts (RMJHL), 3 games to 0

1999 The Vernon Vipers have the unique distinction of being the only BCJHL team to be defeated by a team from the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League, the Kimberley Dynamiters.

• 1999 - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [7]}
• Troy Mick, Joe Oliver
  vs Kimberley Dynamiters (RMJHL), 3 games to 1

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2000 The BCJHL becomes the only "JUNIOR A" league in the province so, are automitic Mowat Cup winners.

• 2000 - Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Harvey Smyl
• 2001 - Victoria Salsa (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Cambell Blair, J. Lund, J. Read
• 2002 - Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Harvey Smyl
• 2003 - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Mike Vandecamp, Bob Dever, Shawn Bourgeios
• 2004 - Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Bill Bestwick
• 2005 - Surrey Eagles (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Rick Hillier
• 2006 - Burnaby Express (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Rick Lanz, Bobby Vermette, Dave McLellan, Kolin Kriitmaa
• 2007 - Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Bill Bestwick, Mike Beharret, Jaret Engele
• 2008 - Penticton Vees (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Fred Harbinson, Kevin Zakall, Aaron Wilbur, David Small
• 2009 - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Mark Ferner, Jason Williamson

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• 2010 - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Mark Ferner, Jason Williamson
• 2011 - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Mark Ferner, Jason Williamson
• 2012 - Penticton Vees ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Fred Harbinson, Michael Hengen, Steve Cawley, Mat Sells
• 2013 - Surrey Eagles ^{[1] [2] [4a] [7]}
• Matt Erhart, Peter Schaefer
• 2014 - Coquitlam Express ^{[1] [2]}
• Barry Wolff, Rob Boyd
• 2015 - Penticton Vees ^{[1] [2] [4a] [7]}
• Fred Harbinson, Steve Cawley, Nick Fuher
• 2016 - West Kelowna Warriors ^{[1] [2] [4a] [7]}
• Rylan Ferster, Shae Naka, Cory Cross

2017 The BCHL no longer awards the Mowat Cup to its Champions however, BC Hockey still recognizes then in its yearly BCHockey Handbook.

• 2017 - Penticton Vees ^{[1] [2] [4a] [7]}
• Fred Harbinson

2018 Wenatchee Wild are only the second U.S.A based team to win, the first being the Bellinham Blazers in 1975.

• 2018 - Wenatchee Wild ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}
• Bliss Littler, Chris Clark, Michael Zucker, Leigh Mendelson
• 2019 - Prince George Spruce Kings^{[1] [2] [3] [8]}
• Adam Maglio, Alex Evin

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• 2020 - No competition, due to Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 As of March 24, 2021, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) had withdrawn its membership from the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) so, the BCHL league champions do not advance any further in the National playdowns.

• 2021 - No competition, due to Covid-19 Pandemic

• 2022 - Penticton Vees ^{[1] [2]}
• Fred Harbinson, Steve Cawley, Patrick Sexton, Cam Barker

• 2023 - Penticton Vees ^{[1] [2]}
• Fred Harbinson, Steve Cawley, Cam Barker

2024 BC Hockey no longer recoqnizes the BCHL as eligible for the Mowat Cup.

BC Hockey announces return of the Mowat Cup to be contested by the champions of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Pacific Junior Hockey League, and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League will vie for the Cup alongside a host team. The tournament will feature a four-team round-robin and playoff to determine the 2024 Mowat Cup Champion

• 2024 - Revelstoke Grizzlies, KIJHL
• Jiri Novak, Daniel Arnost, Ryan Petrovic

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League is no longer eligible for the Mowat Cup as they became an Independent league.

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On Monday, May 1, 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League announced it will not renew the league's agreement with Hockey Canada, meaning it will be an independent league operateing outside Hockey Canada's and BCHockey's system (Non-Sanctioned League) as of June 1, 2023.
On April 29,2024 the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League annouced that, starting with the 2024-25 season, they will will no longer be affiliated with Hockey Canada or BC Hockey.

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• BCHL - British Columbia Hockey League
• BCJHL - British Columbia Junior Hockey League
• KJHL - Kootaney Junior Hockey League
• KIJHL - Kootaney International Junior Hockey League
• OMJHL - Okanagan-Mainline Junior Hockey League
• OJHL - Okanagan Junior Hockey League
• Pacific Coast JHL - Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League
• PJHL - Pacific Junior Hockey League
• Peace Cariboo JHL - Peace Cariboo Junior Hockey League
• RMJHL - Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League
• VCAHL - Vancouver City Amateur Hockey League
• VIJHL - Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League
• WKJHL - Western Kootenay Junior Hockey League

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• [1] = The Nat Bailey/Subway/Fred Page Cup - League Championship
• [2] = The Mowat Cup - BC Championship
• [3] = The Doyle Cup - BC vs ALTA Championship
• [4] = The Abbott Memorial Cup - Western Canadian Championship
• [4a] = Western Canada Cup Host, BCHL,AJHL,SJHL,MJHL
• [5] = The Memorial Cup - National Junior Championship
• [6] = The Manitoba Centennial Trophy - National Jr A Championship
• [7] = The Royal Bank Cup - National Jr A Championship
• [8] = - National Jr A Championship

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