[2][3] The split resulted in litigation, with the remaining KJHL teams alleging that the decision to form a new league was racially motivated.

[5] The KJHL applied to the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba for an injunction halting the CRJHL's inaugural season, and seeking damages for alleged breaches of contracts with players.

[6] The court denied the request for injunction, finding that the KJHL teams had not exhausted their appeals through Hockey Manitoba and couldn't prove the split would cause irreparable harm to the league.

[7] The Selkirk Fishermen defeated the North Winnipeg Satelites in six games to capture the first-ever CRJHL championship in 2019.

The Fishermen, who defeated the Arborg Ice Dawgs in five games, were set to defend that title in 2020 against the St. Malo Warriors, but the finals were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.