The league was founded in 1985 and provides elite hockey players in Manitoba the opportunity to play at a high level of competition.

The Winnipeg region has the option to field multiple teams.

Players for each of the teams are selected from the local minor hockey associations within their respective regions.

MU18HL teams have hosted the national championships three times: the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1994, the Winnipeg Thrashers in 2009 (in Selkirk), and the Kenora Stars in 2004.

Winnipeg hosted the inaugural national championship in 1979, before the MU18HL was formed.