Seismic Shift in Alberta Hockey as AJHL Teams Join BCHL for 2024-25 Season

A seismic shift is set to rock the Alberta hockey landscape as five teams from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have agreed to join the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The Okotoks Oilers, Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Spruce Grove Saints, and Sherwood Park Crusaders have all committed to terms with the BCHL, according to a press release issued by the league on January 20. This unexpected move marks a significant change for junior hockey in the province.

The decision of these five teams to join the BCHL comes after the league withdrew from Hockey Canada and became an independent league at the end of the 2022-23 season. One of the main reasons cited for the withdrawal was the challenges around recruiting under-18 players, as rules stipulate that a U18 player cannot play in another province without their family moving. By becoming independent and joining the BCHL, the teams will have more flexibility in recruiting players from other leagues.

The impact of this shift has already been felt in BC’s junior hockey scene. As part of their first season as an independent league, the BCHL was able to attract talented players from other leagues, including the AJHL. The Alberta teams have seen the opportunity to join the BC league as a chance to elevate their competition and provide better development opportunities for their players.

Of note, the Okotoks Oilers recently won the bid to host the 2025 Centennial Cup, which is the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada’s National Junior A championship. This prestigious event will now take place in Okotoks as the AJHL team makes their transition to the BCHL.

The AJHL released a statement acknowledging the decision of the five teams to join the BCHL, noting that the league was assessing next steps and schedule implications. As a result of this move, four games scheduled involving the departing teams have been canceled, including matchups between the Olds Grizzlys and the Bulldogs, as well as the Bandits against the Whitecourt Wolverines and the Saints against the Calgary Canucks.

The BCHL currently has 17 teams in the 2023-24 regular season, featuring nine teams in the Coastal Division and eight in the Interior Division. With the addition of the five AJHL teams, the league will expand its reach and further solidify its status as one of the premier junior hockey leagues in North America.

Further details regarding the structure and logistics of this transition are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The story will be updated once more information becomes available.