麻豆AV

Five teams who 鈥渄efected鈥� from the Alberta Junior Hockey League have officially joined the BCHL.

The Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints have signed franchise agreements to become members of the BCHL, effective immediately.

鈥淲e are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,鈥� said Chris Hebb, the BCHL鈥檚 chief executive officer.

鈥淎ll 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.鈥�

The five clubs will engage in competition with each other for the remainder of the 2023-2024 campaign. An 鈥淎lberta champion鈥� is expected to be crowned in the spring, with an opportunity for that team to meet the B.C. champion in a year-end competition following the BCHL Playoffs, the league said.

鈥淲ith 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,鈥� said Steven Cocker, BCHL commissioner.

The league鈥檚 announcement comes after it was revealed on Jan. 20 鈥� just minutes before the start of all-star weekend in Penticton 鈥� that the five teams would be leaving the AJHL to join the BCHL.

Games between the five squads and 11 remaining teams in the AJHL were quickly cancelled, as a result. Junior 鈥楢鈥� officials in Alberta later said the clubs had 鈥渄efected鈥� from their league.

鈥淲e are disappointed 鈥� but not surprised 鈥� that the five defecting clubs now intend to drop out of the AJHL to immediately participate in an unsanctioned exhibition series,鈥� the AJHL said in a statement on Feb. 1. 鈥淔or the past week, they have repeatedly denied any agreement with the BCHL, but today鈥檚 admission of 鈥榝inalized franchise agreements and integration鈥� has helped clarify their true position.鈥�

The BCHL鈥檚 newest teams begin play Feb. 2, and the schedule can be viewed

Details for the post-season competition will be announced at a later date, the league said.

鈥淭his is a historic day for our franchise,鈥� said Ryan Papaioannou, the Brook Bandits鈥� head coach and general manager. 鈥淎fter thorough consideration, we are confident the BCHL gives our players the best opportunity to compete at the highest level for college tracking players in Canada.鈥�