FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/West Kelowna Warriors
February 01, 2024 - 1:45 PM
The BC Hockey League is welcoming five Alberta teams to the league.
The Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints have joined the league, according to a BCHL media release issued today, Feb. 1.
“We are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,” BCHL CEO Chris Hebb said in the press release.
“All 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.”
Until today, there were 17 franchises in the BCHL including the Penticton Vees, Merritt Centennials, West Kelowna Warriors, Vernon Vipers and Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
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The five Alberta teams will play against each other for the rest of the season to crown an Alberta champion.
After the BCHL season is over the BC champs will face off against the Alberta winners for an end of year competition. The date for the post-season game will be announced at a later date.
The BCHL said the challenges facing Alberta teams was part of the reason why they are joining the league.
“With 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,” BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker said in the release.
“This five-team schedule and postseason will give these athletes the chance to get in a full set of games for the remainder of the year, which is the most important thing to us.”
The Alberta Junior Hockey League said in a post on social media it's disappointed by the announcement and referred to the teams as "defecting."
The AJHL said it will find a solution to keep fans, and the eleven remaining teams happy.
Click here for the schedule for the Alberta games.
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