The name "Royals" pays tribute to the first ever AAA hockey league in Manitoba which was started in the late 1960s. One team in that first AAA Hockey League was the River East Royals. The original league was considered an outlaw league; much like the spring/summer hockey of today is in that it is not sanctioned by Minor Hockey. AAA hockey was eventually taken over by minor hockey which converted it into the Tier Hockey system in 1976. AAA became Tier I and AA became Tier II. In the late 1980s AAA hockey was once again brought back to revive hockey development within Manitoba. The River East Royals became the Winnipeg AAA Sharks as we know today.
Questions? Please email winnipegroyals@yahoo.ca