In the world of Canadian junior hockey, a seismic shift has occurred as five prominent Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) teams have decided to leave their league and join the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for 2024-25 (That is next season). The Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Okotoks Oilers, Spruce Grove Saints, and Sherwood Park Crusaders have all made the bold move to switch leagues next season, leaving many hockey fans wondering what led to this decision and what the future holds for these teams and the leagues they leave behind. Although it does not affect the season in anyway shape or form until 2024-25, Hockey Canada and AJHL is treating the situation like crying school children by suspending games and leaving everyone in the dark as what will happen. The players suffer the most out of all of this, through no fault of their own what so ever.
The primary motivation for these teams to join the BCHL appears to be the league’s recent departure from Hockey Canada. By leaving Hockey Canada (Who defend sex offenders I must add), the BCHL has gained more autonomy and control over its league, allowing for more flexibility in decision-making and the potential for increased growth and development. Also in all reality a way better product for the fans to watch. For the five Alberta teams, this move represents an opportunity to have a greater say in their own futures and to align themselves with a league that shares their vision for the future of junior hockey. The cage rule will also go out the window and I imagine they don’t suspend you 20 games for fighting now too.
The timing of this announcement has been less than ideal, with the news coming as a surprise to the AJHL (so they say) and leaving many questions unanswered. The sudden departure of these teams has left the league scrambling to adjust its schedule and figure out how to move forward.
In response to the mass exodus, the AJHL has suspended the five teams for now from playing the other 11 teams, citing concerns over the integrity of the league and the safety of its players and officials. Which is laughable to say the least.
Looking to the future, it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen with these teams and the leagues they are leaving behind. The BCHL, now incorporating an Alberta region, will need to navigate the implications of this significant development and find a way to integrate the new teams into its existing structure. The AJHL, on the other hand, will need to adapt to the loss of five of its top teams and find a way to move forward and maintain its status as a premier junior hockey league. Which it won’t. If they cancel those 5 teams remaining seasons one can almost guarantee it will be the lowest scholarship output ever from the AJHL in 2024-25. The leagues image will suffer so bad and it will become a pay to play league by 2025-26. (I mean Hockey Canada needs to pay its cover up legal fees somehow) If I was any of those other teams I would get together and drop out of Hockey Canada all together and form an independent league. The organization defends sex offenders. What more of a reason than that do you need to distance yourself from them?
In conclusion, the departure of these five teams from the AJHL to the BCHL represents a major shift in the landscape of Canadian junior hockey. While the reasons for the move are understandable, the manner in which it was carried out has left many questions unanswered and has created a rift between the two leagues. As the dust settles and the future unfolds, it will be interesting to see how both the AJHL and the BCHL adapt to this new reality and what it means for the future of junior hockey in Canada.
Nice to see too even though the AJHL suspended the teams it has no issue promoting and announcing the players on the suspended teams commitments. On another note congratulations to the Brooks Bandits Hughie Hooker who got a scholarship to Yale. Great defenceman with a great name and deserves that 100%. Sam Hall from the Okotoks Oilers got one also to St. Lawrence, also very deserving.