Five AJHL teams will join the BCHL immediately after signing formal agreements. The teams will play a mini-league amongst themselves for the remainder of this season. (submitted photos)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

major change

Five defecting Alberta Junior clubs to join BCHL immediately

Feb 1, 2024 | 11:35 AM

NANAIMO — The British Columbia Hockey League is poised to crown an Alberta champion come season’s end.

After the league confirmed last month five clubs from the neighbouring Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHJ) would join the BCHL for the 2024/25 season, the cancellation of games by the AJHL accelerated timelines and will see the teams fold into the BCHL effective Wednesday, Jan 31.

The Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints have signed franchise agreements and will resume play under the BCHL banner.

“With the unfortunate situation the Alberta teams have faced in recent weeks with having games cancelled in their previous league, it was imperative to us to get these players back on the ice in meaningful competition,” Steve Cocker, BCHL commissioner, said in a statement.

It expands the BCHL to a 22-team league.

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For the remainder of the 2023/24 season, the five Alberta teams will play games amongst themselves to crown an Alberta champion.

The league said they will then look to schedule a “year-end competition” between the Alberta champion and the winner of the BCHL playoffs.

BCHL CEO Chris Hebb said bringing in five established organizations will benefit the BCHL.

“All five are strong organizations from great communities and we look forward to the immediate boost they will give our league. We were encouraged by their belief in our model and think that adding these teams will strengthen the development of all our players.”

Games between the five Alberta clubs begin on Friday, Feb. 2 and will continue through the first weekend of April.

Their standing position from the AJHL will not be taken into account.

At the time of their departure from Alberta, Brooks led the AJHL with 41 wins from 45 games. Sherwood Park, Okotoks and Blackfalds filled the next three positions in the standings.

Spruce Grove was 12th overall.

The move away from the AJHL also pulls the teams out of the Hockey Canada umbrella, as the BCHL has operated as an independent league since 2023.

Unless the Nanaimo Clippers win the BCHL Championship, there are no games scheduled between the team and Alberta clubs this season.

Further details on a more complete integration of the Alberta teams into a BCHL competition are expected at a later date.

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