Five Alberta Junior Hockey League Teams to Join British Columbia Hockey League

Major changes are on the horizon for the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) as five of its teams, including the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Spruce Grove Saints, Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, and Okotoks Oilers, have confirmed their move to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. The announcement was made by the BCHL and comes as a complete surprise to the AJHL, who stated that they were only informed through the BCHL’s announcement, and no official notice has been provided by the respective teams as of yet.

As a result of this move, two games scheduled for Saturday and two games scheduled for Sunday involving the teams joining the BCHL have been canceled. The BC Hockey League has grown from 17 teams to 22, while the AJHL will be reduced from 16 to 11 teams. The future of the remaining teams in the AJHL is uncertain, representing a significant shift for the league that has been in operation since 1964.

Alberta-based sports reporter, Brenden Escott from Corus Entertainment’s 630 CHED, expressed his surprise at this development and speculated that it could be an indication of changes within other provincial hockey associations. Escott pondered on the impact this exodus would have on the AJHL’s status as Junior A hockey moving forward, particularly considering the powerful teams that have decided to make this move.

The BCHL, which became an independent league last June after leaving Hockey Canada, announced that the addition of the Alberta teams will be finalized for the 2024-2025 season. The league will provide further information on its structure with the additional teams in the coming weeks.

This move by the BCHL showcases the impact of shedding restrictions imposed by Hockey Canada, allowing the league to attract players from different provinces and even Europe, potentially making the competition more intense and the on-ice product stronger. However, it also raises concerns about the development and opportunities for local hockey talent, as well as the potential financial implications for teams. The Brooks Bandits, for example, were unable to collect a development fee after Cale Makar, a former player, was drafted highly in the NHL, something that the CHL receives as a benefit from Hockey Canada.

The AJHL standings saw the Brooks Bandits leading with 78 points, followed by Sherwood Park with 73 points, Okotoks with 66 points, and Blackfalds with 63 points as of Saturday. Only the Spruce Grove Saints, who are currently ranked 12th in the league standings with 41 points, were not in the top five.

This move by the BCHL highlights the limitations and restrictions imposed by Hockey Canada, which the league chose to leave to have more autonomy and control over its own operations. While this decision benefits the league, it raises questions about the impact on the development of players and the competitive landscape.