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Five Alberta-based teams officially join B.C. Hockey League

Effective immediately, 91Ƶdefected91Ƶ teams from out-of-province now members of BCHL
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Five teams from Alberta are joining the BCHL. (BCHL photo)

Five teams who 91Ƶdefected91Ƶ 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.

91ƵWe are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,91Ƶ said Chris Hebb, the BCHL91Ƶs chief executive officer.

91ƵAll 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.91Ƶ

The five clubs will engage in competition with each other for the remainder of the 2023-2024 campaign. An 91ƵAlberta champion91Ƶ 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.

91ƵWith 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,91Ƶ said Steven Cocker, BCHL commissioner.

The league91Ƶs announcement comes after it was revealed on Jan. 20 91Ƶ just minutes before the start of all-star weekend in Penticton 91Ƶ 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 91ƵA91Ƶ officials in Alberta later said the clubs had 91Ƶdefected91Ƶ from their league.

91ƵWe are disappointed 91Ƶ but not surprised 91Ƶ that the five defecting clubs now intend to drop out of the AJHL to immediately participate in an unsanctioned exhibition series,91Ƶ the AJHL said in a statement on Feb. 1. 91ƵFor the past week, they have repeatedly denied any agreement with the BCHL, but today91Ƶs admission of 91Ƶfinalized franchise agreements and integration91Ƶ has helped clarify their true position.91Ƶ

The BCHL91Ƶs 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.

91ƵThis is a historic day for our franchise,91Ƶ said Ryan Papaioannou, the Brook Bandits91Ƶ head coach and general manager. 91ƵAfter 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.91Ƶ

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Logan Lockhart

About the Author: Logan Lockhart

I joined Black Press Media in 2021 after graduating from a pair of Toronto post-secondary institutions and working as a sports reporter for several different outlets.
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