The league started in the seventies as the Manitoba Junior B Hockey League, changing to the current name in 2004. Currently, the KJHL consists of 10 teams, with each playing 34 games during the regular season. All teams make the playoffs. Teams finishing 4th and 5th in each division, playoff in a best-of-three survivor series to determine playoff seeding. Winners then move on to the regular playoff format, which are an elimination tournament consisting of 3 rounds. Best-of-five division semifinals, best-of-seven division final, and league championship, with the winner becoming the KJHL, Manitoba, and Baldy Northcott Trophy champions.