The Bandits, Oilers, Saints, Bulldogs and Crusaders signal on — formally — with the BCHL, efficient instantly
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It’s ‘a historic day,’ say the Brooks Bandits.
It actually is a few sort of day — one which wasn’t imagined to occur till at the very least Could, by all accounts — because the mass exodus of 5 groups from the Alberta Junior Hockey League is now full.
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The Bandits — together with the Okotoks Oilers, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, the Spruce Grove Saints and the Sherwood Park Crusaders — have now signed franchise agreements to formally be a part of the British Columbia Junior League …
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Efficient instantly.
“We’re happy to formally welcome these 5 franchises into the fold as members of our league,” mentioned BCHL’s chief govt officer Chris Hebb on Thursday. “All 5 are robust organizations from nice communities, and we look ahead to the quick enhance they’ll 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.”
Motion within the BCHL for the 5 exiting AJHL golf equipment begins Friday night time — primarily every week after the Alberta league determined to revamp the rest of the 2023-24 schedule with out the Oilers, the Bulldogs, the Saints, the Crusaders and the reigning three-time league- and national-champion Bandits.
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AJHL needs clarification on alleged settlement between ‘defecting groups’ and BCHL
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AJHL revamps schedule in wake of dropping 5 groups
The AJHL was surprised by information leaked from the BCHL 14 days in the past that the 5 sides have been planning to go away Alberta to affix the neighbouring province’s junior puck circuit within the upcoming low season.
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In response to these “defecting groups” saying they’d not but signed any official contracts to go away the AJHL, the league requested for readability from these golf equipment, selecting to droop them till it was glad by a solution.
On Thursday, it received that reply.
“This can be a historic day for our franchise,” mentioned Bandits GM/head coach Ryan Papaioannou. “After thorough consideration, we’re assured the BCHL offers our gamers the most effective alternative to compete on the highest degree for faculty monitoring gamers in Canada.
“The revolutionary method from the league workers by means of to the professionalism of our new associate groups makes this an thrilling time to be a Brooks Bandit,” continued Papaioannou. “Our knowledgable followers might be handled to unimaginable hockey instantly with thrilling competitors forward. By way of the final 10 days, our gamers, followers and sponsors have been our high concern. Revealing the trail ahead at this time not solely places minds comfortable but in addition reinvigorates everybody related to our group.”
The Bulldogs and the Crusaders put out comparable statements together with feedback from workforce officers, whereas the Oilers and the Saints primarily launched what was mirrored within the BCHL assertion.
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When reached to reply themselves Tuesday, the Oilers — who’re slated to host the CJHL championship (also referred to as the Centennial Cup) subsequent 12 months — pointed to the BCHL assertion.
AJHL affirms it has ‘robust future’
The AJHL then adopted swimsuit with its personal feedback.
“The AJHL needs to thank the 11 groups on the core of our league for his or her robust assist as we proceed working by means of the scenario attributable to the mid-season announcement that 5 of our golf equipment had dedicated to play unsanctioned hockey within the BCHL,” mentioned the AJHL in an announcement. “We’re disenchanted — however not shocked — that the 5 defecting golf equipment now intend to drop out of the AJHL to right away take part in an unsanctioned exhibition sequence.
“For the previous week, they’ve repeatedly denied any settlement with the BCHL, however at this time’s admission of ‘finalized franchise agreements and integration’ has helped make clear their true place. The total impression of this determination 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.
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“The AJHL has a robust future.”
BCHL beforehand break up from Hockey Canada
It’s the newest shift in a saga that started final 12 months when the BCHL parted methods with Hockey Canada, citing guidelines — particularly relating to recruiting rules — have been too restrictive within the Canadian Junior Hockey League degree and as an alternative favoured the main junior leagues, such because the Western Hockey League.
The BCHL had requested Hockey Canada to make modifications in its recruiting coverage to assist the CJHL golf equipment additional the event of its gamers, however its concepts by no means gained traction with the nation’s governing hockey physique.
With the addition of the 5 groups Tuesday, the BCHL is now 22 robust.
These 5 groups will have interaction in competitors with one another for the rest of the season and can finally crown an Alberta champion.
Following the conclusion of the BCHL playoffs, there might be a chance for the champion from Alberta to satisfy the champ from B.C. in a year-end competitors.
“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,” added BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker. “This five-team schedule and post-season will give these athletes the possibility to get in a full set of video games for the rest of the 12 months, which is crucial factor to us.”
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
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