MJHL Draft Switching Formats (Again)

After the Manitoba Junior Hockey League held its league meetings and draft over the weekend, it appears the league's draft format will change once again for next year.

Up until two years ago, teams could 'auto-protect' 5 players in their local zone, prior to a 5 round draft.

For the last two years, it became a 10 round draft, and if teams drafted outside their local zone in the first 5 rounds, their zone would be free game to any of the other 10 teams.

Swan Valley Stampeders GM Guy Vestby was one of a handful of GM's who felt that format favoured the Winnipeg teams, and is happy to see it go.

"We didn't like it. There were so many trades made for all the wrong reasons this year. It was set up so the Winnipeg guys could protect their players, and that got changed or abused or however you want to look at it. Anyway, that's behind us, we had a good draft, and as we move forward in the upcoming year, it's going to be 2 auto-protects in your local community if you so choose, and then a 6-round wide-open draft. So rural teams, or any team will be able to pick the top players in Manitoba, regardless where they're from."

So again, the new draft format will be:

(Optional) 2 local auto-protects, followed by a 6-round open draft.

I like this a lot more than the 10 round system, AND the previous 5 auto-protect/5 round draft. There aren't always enough kids in the smaller centres to justify 5 list spots, and I always agreed that the latest format was very CITY-slanted... and yesterday's draft proved it wasn't really working, with none of the rural teams taking local first rounders.

Protect your two local guys (if you want)... then it's wide open. I like it. Your thoughts?