The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) announced on Thursday it has cancelled the remaining games between the five “defecting teams” and the remaining 11 teams in the league.
That means the five teams who announced last weekend they’re departing for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the 2024-25 season will no longer play against the rest of the teams in the AJHL.
Those five teams include the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Spruce Grove Saints, and the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
“We continue to evaluate the best path forward after reviewing Saturday’s BCHL announcement that five of our teams have decided, in the middle of the current season, to leave the AJHL to play unsanctioned hockey beginning in the 2024-25 season,” the AJHL said in a statement.
They also implied that the AJHL playoffs may be in jeopardy.
“We are responding by taking steps to protect the competitive integrity of the AJHL and CJHL playoff system and to ensure the safety of our players and officials.
“Games previously scheduled among these 11 teams will continue as scheduled. Out of respect for the players on the five defecting teams, we will allow scheduled games among these clubs to proceed.”
The Bulldogs are scheduled to only play three more regular season games. They’re scheduled to play against the Brooks Bandits on Saturday, Jan. 27 in Blackfalds followed by games in Sherwood Park on Feb. 13 and Brooks on March 2.
Black Press Media reached out to Bulldogs owner Doug Quinn but explained he had no comment at this time.
The AJHL continued by saying they continue to work with their partners at the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Hockey Alberta, and Hockey Canada to find a solution to the situation “created by the five defecting teams and the BCHL.”
They will provide further updates as decisions continue to be made by the AJHL.
“The AJHL’s stated vision is to create an environment that inspires trust and confidence among our organizations, athletes, fans, partners, and stakeholders,” the AJHL added.
“We continue to be the premier developmental league in Canada for student-athletes striving to capitalize on their athletic and academic abilities.
“We are disappointed by the recent announcement but look forward to providing our fans with more exciting AJHL hockey in the months and years ahead.”