The B.C. Hockey League has expanded east of the Rocky Mountains and into Alberta.
On Thursday, and in a shock announcement, the BCHL mentioned it has opened its doorways to 5 Alberta Junior Hockey League groups that have been rumoured to be wanting westward for supposedly larger competitors.
“Efficient instantly, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints are members of the BCHL,” the league mentioned in its assertion.
In late January, hypothesis rose that Blackfalds, Brooks, Okotoks, Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove have been eyeing the BCHL, which had gone ‘rogue,’ or impartial, by leaving Hockey Canada, releasing it as much as entice gamers from throughout.
And at some point after two social media posts pondering that chance have been printed, the BCHL issued a press release on Jan. 20 that it had come to phrases with the 5 groups.
What adopted was a fast response by the AJHL, which all however exiled the 5 groups by reducing off entry to the remainder of the league.
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The AJHL mentioned the 5 groups have been free to play video games, however solely in opposition to one another and never in opposition to the league’s remaining 11 groups.
The 5 groups mentioned the punishment was harsh, noting they hadn’t signed any agreements, although the president of 1 group advised a newspaper that the information wasn’t supposed to come back out till Might 1.
On Thursday, although, every little thing modified.
“We’re happy to formally welcome these 5 franchises into the fold as members of our league,” mentioned Chris Hebb, the BCHL’s CEO.
“All 5 are sturdy organizations from nice communities and we sit up for the speedy enhance they may give our league. We have been inspired by their perception in our mannequin and assume that including these groups will strengthen the event of all our gamers.”
On Thursday, the AJHL additionally issued a press release, saying “we’re upset – however not stunned – that the 5 defecting golf equipment now intend to drop out of the AJHL to instantly take part in an unsanctioned exhibition sequence.”
The AJHL continued, saying “For the previous week, they’ve repeatedly denied any settlement with the BCHL, however immediately’s admission of ‘finalized franchise agreements and integration’ has helped make clear their true place.
“The total influence of this resolution on our ongoing investigation stays to be decided, because the groups have now eradicated a route again to the AJHL for his or her gamers this season.”
Based on the BCHL, the 5 Alberta groups will play video games in opposition to one another for the rest of the season.
The 5 groups’ remaining schedules can be found on-line.
A champion might be topped, with that group then assembly the BCHL playoff champion in a year-end competitors.
Since turning into impartial, the BCHL is not allowed to compete for a nationwide championship, which implies the 5 Alberta groups would seemingly fall underneath the identical guidelines.
World Information reached out to the 5 groups for remark, with one spokesperson saying they’re directing all requests now to the BCHL.
Notably, the Okotoks Oilers have been slated to host the 2025 Centennial Cup. With Thursday’s announcement, that gained’t be occurring now.
The BCHL mentioned because the Oilers will not be part of Hockey Canada, they won’t be internet hosting the Centennial Cup. World Information has additionally reached out to Hockey Canada as properly.
“With the unlucky scenario the Alberta groups have confronted in current weeks with having video games cancelled of their earlier league, it was crucial to us to get these gamers again on the ice in significant competitors,” mentioned BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker.
“This five-team schedule and postseason will give these athletes the possibility to get in a full set of video games for the rest of the yr, which is an important factor to us.”
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