OLDS — Friday’s game between the Olds Grizzlys and Sherwood Park Crusaders will not occur after all, according to an official announcement Thursday by the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
On Jan. 20, it was announced that five AJHL teams – the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers and Spruce Grove Saints – plan to leave the AJHL for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
In response, the AJHL released a statement Jan.25 saying that all upcoming games scheduled to be played between these five “defecting teams” and the remaining 11 teams in the league will be cancelled.
Games between the remaining 11 teams, including the Grizzlys, will continue.
“Out of respect for the players on the five defecting teams, we will allow scheduled games among these clubs to proceed,” the statement said.
“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 our current season, to leave the AJHL to play unsanctioned hockey, beginning in the 2024-25 season,” the statement said.
“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.
“We are working diligently with our partners – including the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada – to find a resolution to this unusual situation created by the five defecting teams and the BCHL and will provide further updates as decisions are made.
“The AJHL’s stated vision is to create an environment that inspires trust and confidence among our organizations, athletes, fans, partners and stakeholders.
“We continue to be the premier development 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.”
