The J. Pius Callaghan Cup is a trophy that was formerly given to the ice hockey Junior A Champion of Atlantic Canada from 1981 until 1991. The trophy is named for Joseph Pius Callaghan, sports writer for the Charlottetown Guardian, school teacher, and sports executive, by Hockey PEI. From 1991 until 2006, the trophy was awarded to the playoff champion of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. In 2006 it was retired and now resides in the Charlottetown Civic Centre. Prior to 1981, the championship was just called the Atlantic Junior A Championship.
History First awarded in 1981, the Callaghan Cup was awarded to the top team to play in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Prior to this, the championship was just known as the Atlantic Junior A Championship.
Depending on the year, the Callaghan Cup was the quarter-final of the Manitoba Centennial Cup National Championship and the winner would play the Central Champions for the Dudley Hewitt Cup Eastern Canada Championship. Eventually, as Maritime hockey became less prominent, the Dudley Hewitt Cup went to the Central Champion only.
By 1991, all Maritime leagues had amalgamated into the Maritime Junior A Hockey League and the St. John's Junior Hockey League dropped down to Jr. B play. The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association gave the MJAHL custody over the Callaghan Cup as its playoff championship.
In 2006, the Maritime Junior A Hockey League retired the trophy and replaced it with the Kent Cup.
Prior to the MJAHL taking control of the trophy, the Callaghan Cup/Atlantic Championship was won by a Prince Edward Island team 9 times, a Nova Scotia team 8 times, New Brunswick 3 times, and Newfoundland and Labrador once.
Since 1995, the Atlantic Region, Ottawa District of Ontario and the Quebec champions all compete together for a spot at the Royal Bank Cup through the Fred Page Cup.
Leagues in competition Eastern Junior A Hockey League Island Junior Hockey League Maritime Junior A Hockey League (1968–1971) Metro Valley Junior Hockey League New Brunswick Junior Hockey League Newfoundland Junior A Hockey League St. John's Junior Hockey League
Champions
Atlantic Canada Junior A Champions Year Champions Runners-Up Series/HostAtlantic Junior A Championship1971 Charlottetown Islanders (MJAHL) Moncton Beavers (NBJHL) 4-01972 Charlottetown Islanders (Independent) Moncton Beavers (NBJHL) 4-11973 Moncton Beavers (NBJHL) Buchans Miners (NJAHL) 3-01974 Charlottetown Colonels (IJHL) Moncton Beavers (NBJHL) 3-21975 Gander Jr. Flyers (NJAHL) Charlottetown Colonels (IJHL) 3-01976 Charlottetown Colonels (IJHL) Sydney Millionaires (EJAHL) 4-11977 Charlottetown Generals (IJHL) Sydney Millionaires (EJAHL) 4-01978 Charlottetown Eagles (IJHL) Cole Harbour Colts (MVJHL) 4-01979 Sherwood-Parkdale Metros (IJHL) Halifax Lions (MVJHL) 4-31980 Sherwood-Parkdale Metros (IJHL) Cole Harbour Colts (MVJHL) 4-2Callaghan Cup1981 Cole Harbour Colts (MVJHL) Sherwood-Parkdale Metros (IJHL) 4-21982 Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) North River North Stars (IJHL) 4-21983 Halifax Lions (MVJHL) Sherwood-Parkdale Metros (IJHL) 4-11984 Halifax Lions (MVJHL) Summerside Western Capitals (IJHL) 4-11985 Cole Harbour Colts* (MVJHL) Charlottetown Eagles (IJHL) 4-21986 Moncton Hawks* (MVJHL) Summerside Western Capitals (IJHL) 1987 Dartmouth Fuel Kids (MVJHL) Charlottetown Abbies (IJHL) 4-11988 Halifax Lions (MVJHL) Summerside Western Capitals (IJHL) 4-31989 Summerside Western Capitals (IJHL) Moncton Hawks (MVJHL) 4-11990 Amherst Ramblers (MVJHL) Charlottetown Abbies (IJHL) 4-11991 Halifax Canadians (MVJHL) St. John's Jr. 50's (SJJHL) 4-0Callaghan Cup permanently given to Maritime Junior A Hockey League
References
External links Fred Page Cup Website MJAHL Website CJAHL Website