OLDS – The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) cancelled four scheduled weekend games Saturday, including an Olds Grizzlys away game after learning five of the league’s teams are leaving the league next season.
The Grizzlys were to take on the Blackfalds Bulldogs Jan. 20 in Blackfalds. Hours before the match, the AJHL announced it was cancelled, along with three other league games.
“As a league we are assessing next steps and schedule implications,” the AJHL’s statement said.
The Alberta league was reacting to British Columbia Hockey League’s Saturday announcement that it had come to terms with the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints to join its league for the 2024-25 season.
The AJHL’s statement said that no official notice had been provided to the AJHL from the respective teams.
AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk advised at nearly 4 p.m. Saturday that the Olds versus Blackfalds game had been cancelled. The Blackfalds Bulldogs advised of the cancellation shortly after, adding all tickets for the game would be refunded within 48 hours.
Saturday night’s Drayton Valley Thunder versus Brooks Bandits game was also cancelled, along with Sunday’s Spruce Grove Saints versus Calgary Canucks game and Whitecourt Wolverines versus Brooks Bandits game.
The British Columbia Hockey League said Saturday that further information, such as its new league structure, will be announced in the coming weeks.
"The AJHL will continue to provide unprecedented development opportunities for our athletes within our valuable communities," the Alberta league said in its statement.
