OLDS — The loss of five Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) teams to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) isn’t all bad, the governor of the Olds Grizzlys franchise says.
In fact, Blake Parker says the loss of those teams could open the door to new AJHL franchises – possibly even in the same markets being vacated.
On Jan. 20, the BCHL announced that the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints had all agreed to leave the AJHL and join their league for the 2024-25 season.
“No official notice has been provided to the AJHL from the respective teams,” the AJHL said in an official statement.
“If these teams end up leaving and going, which it looks like they will, then you know, the AJHL will be fine,” Parker said during an interview with the Albertan. “I mean, teams changed before and moved and whatnot, and the league operated just fine.
“We've all had meetings already and talked. You know there's other markets that might wanna join the AJ,” Parker added.
“There might be groups in the existing markets that might say, ‘you know what? We would like to have a franchise’ and in those markets the municipalities may decide at some point to lease the buildings to those franchises. Who knows?
“So I mean, the league will be fine, I mean we're here to provide a place for kids to play junior hockey, have great experiences, move on to a next level if that's what they so choose.
“And whatever that looks like, we'll continue to do that, you know, and that's the that's the main thing.”
Parker said “stability is the, is the best thing for a league,” but if the those five teams do leave and there are only 11 teams remaining, the league will carry on.
But he said “my guess is there'll be more” by the time the puck drops next season.
