League Suspends Five Different Teams Following Major Controversy

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Graham Montgomery
January 20, 2024 (9:11 PM)

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Junior Hockey in Canada has several levels. The top level, where most NHL draft picks come from, is the CHL, which is split into three league, the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. The level below that is junior A, which contains many leagues. One of them, the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) just made a major decision that will impact many players this season.

AJHL Indefinitely Suspends Five Teams From League In Retaliation For Leaving

Recently, it was revealed that five teams currently in the AJHL will be leaving the league and joining the top junior A league in British Columbia, the BCHL, next year. Today, it was reported that the AJHL is retaliating against these teams by suspending them indefinitely.

CONFIRMED: AJHL is suspending the five teams leaving - in effect immediately. Just got word that Olds and Blackfalds will not be playing tonight as Olds was told by the league to not show up to Blackfalds. I believe the Brooks- DV game will follow en suite. Will report more soon-

This could mean that the teams involved will not play again for the rest of the season. The five teams involved are the Brooks Bandits, Spruce Grove Saints, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders, and Blackfalds Bulldogs.

I'm hearing that 5 #AJHL teams: the Brooks Bandits, Spruce Grove Saints, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders, and Blackfalds Bulldogs have all been accepted into the #BCHL for next season.

Notably, the BCHL is splitting away from Hockey Canada next year, effectively becoming an independent junior hockey league. This is likely why these AJHL teams were tempted to join the league. Now though, the players on these teams will face the brunt of the punishment from the league as ultimately this is about the players at this level. For most of them, this will be the highest level of hockey they play in their careers. It seems rather harsh to take half a season away from them, but that is the reality of the situation right now.