(The Canadian Press)

By Derek Craddock

SHAKEUP IN JUNIOR A HOCKEY

SJHL responds after five teams plan to leave AJHL to B.C.

Jan 22, 2024 | 1:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has said no teams are leaving its competition after teams from Alberta decided to jump ship to B.C.

On Sunday, the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) issued a statement confirming five games from the weekend would be cancelled after learning five teams were defecting to the BCHL. The league said it was given no official notice from the teams and added they are assessing next steps.

The BCHL said in a statement on Saturday that they came to terms with the five Alberta teams: the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints.

More information including the structure of the league are to be announced in the coming weeks.

In May, the BCHL shook up the hockey world by revealing it was becoming an independent league, opting not to renew its agreement with Hockey Canada.

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BCHL Chief Executive Officer Chris Hebb said at the time that “Junior A hockey has been undervalued in Canada,” indicating college tracking was the trend and where a lot of NHL players were coming from.

Hebb asked in May: “Thirty-three per cent of the NHL is coming from college, so why in Canada can we not have a league that is doing a heck of a job of creating college commitments be supported as an alternative to major junior?”

On Monday, the SJHL confirmed no teams are leaving its league and there are no plans to have other clubs join the competition.

“The SJHL is competitive, thriving, and is united. No teams are leaving the SJHL or the CJHL,” the league said in an emailed statement.

The commissioner also released a statement affirming that united front, saying the league is in the midst of one of its best seasons to date.

Hockey Canada also responded to the weekend moves saying in a statement that it will continue to work with Hockey Alberta, the AJHL and CJHL to provide opportunities to safely enjoy, develop and compete in Canada’s game in Alberta.

“Hockey Canada and its members are tasked with ensuring that participants of all ages and abilities can enjoy playing hockey in communities across the country, both recreationally and competitively,” the statement reads. “While we feel strongly that our model for delivering hockey is to the benefit and safety of players, coaches, officials, parents, administrators and volunteers, we recognize that others are free to enjoy the game outside of Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com