There could be a fun way to include all 10 teams in a bracket. Maybe break the SMJHL into two conferences [again] and have 4/5 play for a chance at a divisional series against the #1 seed. You could also have 7/10 and 8/9 play each other for a chance at 1 and 2. I'm not sure how in-depth the playoff customization of STHS goes, to be honest.

As @kit put it, the SMJHL is for developing. Although I find it hilarious that people who were crying about realism when it came to other aspects of this game are currently trying to remind us that this is a simulation league, none of us can deny that the Juniors is a very different experience from the SHL. It's short-lived and unique. You don't need to add a hyper competitive aspect to it in order for it to be interesting.

Edit: didn't realize this conversation already died lmao, my bad