The Okotoks Oilers will only get the chance to play three of their final 13 games.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League released a statement on Thursday clarifying the schedule implications in the wake of the news five teams — the Oilers, Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints — had agreed to terms to join the BCHL for the 2024-25 season, as announced by the BCHL.
“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,” reads the statement.
“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. To this end, until further notice, we have cancelled all upcoming games scheduled to be played between these five defecting teams and the remaining 11 teams at the core of our league.
“Games previously scheduled among these 11 teams will continue as scheduled. Out of respect for the players on the five defecting teams, we will allow scheduled games among these clubs to proceed.”
Okotoks played Spruce Grove on Jan. 20, after the news broke, and had its Jan. 23 game against the Canmore Eagles cancelled.
The Oilers game in Brooks on Jan. 26 will be going ahead, but their Jan. 27 home date versus Whitecourt and the next seven scheduled games have been cancelled.
Okotoks has two more games with Sherwood Park, on Feb. 17 on the road and March 1 at home, on the docket.
“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 statement reads.
“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 developmental 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.”
