OLDS — The Olds Grizzlys are pleased that the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has awarded an expansion franchise to to the Northern Alberta Xtreme (NAX) Athletics Group and community of Devon for the 2024-25 season.
Devon is located about 42 kilometres southwest of downtown Edmonton.
That makes 12 teams in the AJHL, which had 16 before five pulled out earlier this season to join the BCHL.
And more expansion may take place soon.
The AJHL board of governors is considering an expansion bid from the town of Cold Lake and its Cold Lake Energy Centre for the 2025-26 season. Cold Lake is about 295 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
Previously, the NAX Athletics Group was part of the Whitecourt Wolverines ownership group.
The AJHL says it’s "in the process of evaluating new ownership opportunities to continue a successful AJHL program in the town of Whitecourt.”
“The Grizzlys are excited to welcome a new partner to our league,” Grizzlys assistant coach, assistant GM and sales manager Pete DeGraaf wrote in an email.
“The Devon group has a great track record of developing players and having success at the academy level and we are confident that they will be excellent partners.
“And and their investment and commitment to our league is a sign of strength and confidence in our league.
“We see no downside at all to the AJHL bringing in a new franchise to replace one of the organizations that moved to the BCHL.”
