The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), which includes the Olds Grizzlys, has set a new direction for future seasons and made changes in the methods teams will use to protect prospects.
During its semi-annual meeting, the AJHL board of governors voted to approve a full interlock schedule for the 2018-19 season, which will see all 16 teams playing each AJHL opponent four times. Currently, teams play their divisional rivals six times and only two games in the divisional crossover (north vs south).
AJHL commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk applauded the board on this decision.
“After a lengthy discussion that included various factors ranging from divisional competitiveness and balance, fan and community interest, and the route to becoming league champion, our board has approved this direction for the 2018-19 AJHL season,” he said.
“The timeline will provide the league and its members with the opportunity to align and prepare for the benefits of the change.”
The 2017-18 AJHL schedule and format will remain consistent with the current 2016-17 season.
The 2017 AJHL regular season will commence on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. The 480-game schedule will include 16 teams participating in 60 regular season games apiece, including two games at the 2017 AJHL Showcase in Camrose.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League will also eliminate the ability for prospects to be signed to an AJHL white card effective Jan. 11, 2017.
All players signed to an AJHL white card certificate were deemed to constitute that team's reserve list, which included a maximum of five players.
AJHL prospects will now have the opportunity to commit to an AJHL member team through a letter of intent, which will protect the player as a member of the respective team. The letter of intent rule will be in place starting Jan. 11, 2017.
The 2016 World Junior A Challenge will be held in Bonnyville from Dec. 11–17. Three exhibition games will be played on Dec. 9 in Fort McMurray, St. Paul and Cold Lake.
Playoffs will begin on March 9, 2017. The top team in each division will receive a first-round bye.
The Viterra AJHL South Division and Viterra AJHL North Division will conduct a playoff to determine a divisional champion at the conclusion of round three. The North Division champion and the South Division champion will then compete in the AJHL Gas Drive Cup final.
The AJHL and its three western partners, the BCHL, SJHL and MJHL, have reached the final year of the Western Canada Cup agreement.
The 2017 event will be hosted by the Penticton Vees of the BCHL from April 28 - May 7, 2017. The decision to continue with the current format or explore an alternate championship structure is under review.
The 2017 RBC Cup National Championship will take place from May 13 -21, 2017 in Cobourg, Ont.
The AJHL/Hockey Alberta Development Camp will continue for a second year in July 2017. Under a new partnership between Hockey Alberta and the AJHL, 80 athletes (2000 born) participated in the first such development camp this past July.
The 2017 AJHL annual general meeting will take place in Red Deer on May 27, 2017.
- This story is an edited version of one sent to the Albertan by Flett, who is vice-president of communications for the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
