Five of the best junior hockey teams across Canada will be coming to Manitoba in May for the National Championships. The Portage Terriers are one of those five as they will host the event at Stride Place from May 9-17. 

There is a little bit of a change to this year's event, however. Last year, it was called that National Jr. A Championship. As the tournament will celebrate its 50th anniversary, Hockey Canada, in partnership with the CJHL, has announced that the tournament will return to its original name, the Centennial Cup, beginning in 2020.

Portage also hosted the event five years ago, when they were crowned champions. Kim Davis, MJHL Commissioner talks about the Centennial Cup being played with an MJHL team being the host.

"It's really exciting. We had that same experience five years ago at Stride Place," said Davis. "Any time you have a national championship in your back yard, I think that adds to the excitement."

Portage could be joined by another MJHL team. For that to happen, someone other than Portage would have to win the league and the Anavet Cup which pits the best in the MJHL against the best in the SJHL in a best-of-seven battle. The winner of that series goes to the big dance.

If Portage wins the MJHL, that means the SJHL winner would get an automatic berth to the Centennial Cup, with an Anavet Cup still being played as well.

"I think that'll push teams even more. Everyone wants to play in the nationals," said Davis.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League season gets underway Friday with 10 of the team's 11 leagues hitting the ice. The defending MJHL Champion Portage Terriers are home to the Winnipeg Blues. Waywayseecappo heads to Neepawa, Selkirk is home to Virden, Winkler heads to Steinbach and Dauphin is on the road in Swan Valley. 

Davis provides his thoughts on what he thinks the year will provide.

"It certainly appears to me based on the preseason that we're going to have a very similar year compared with the past several years, close and tight throughout the year," said Davis. "I think we're going to have a very competitive season with a lot of hard-fought games. The players seem ready to go. We're all anxious to get things going."

The last time Dauphin hosted the nationals was nearly 10 years ago. After two successful events in Manitoba, Kim knows a third is on the way.

"Portage did a great job in 2015 and I can say without hesitation that Dauphin did a fantastic job as well," concluded Davis. "Both were top-notch and we expect the same will happen in Portage in May."

You can also secure your tickets for the event by heading to the 2020 Centennial Cup.