Five teams who 害羞草研究所渄efected害羞草研究所� from the Alberta Junior Hockey League have officially joined the BCHL.
The Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints have signed franchise agreements to become members of the BCHL, effective immediately.
害羞草研究所淲e are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,害羞草研究所� said Chris Hebb, the BCHL害羞草研究所檚 chief executive officer.
害羞草研究所淎ll five are strong organizations from great communities and we look forward to the immediate boost they will give our league. We were encouraged by their belief in our model and think that adding these teams will strengthen the development of all our players.害羞草研究所�
The five clubs will engage in competition with each other for the remainder of the
害羞草研究所淲ith the unfortunate situation the Alberta teams have faced in recent weeks with having games cancelled in their previous league, it was imperative to us to get these players back on the ice in meaningful competition,害羞草研究所� said Steven Cocker, BCHL commissioner.
The league害羞草研究所檚 announcement comes after it was revealed on Jan. 20 害羞草研究所� just minutes before the start of all-star weekend in Penticton 害羞草研究所� that the five teams would be leaving the AJHL to join the BCHL.
Games between the five squads and 11 remaining teams in the AJHL were quickly cancelled, as a result. Junior 害羞草研究所楢害羞草研究所� officials in Alberta later said the clubs had 害羞草研究所渄efected害羞草研究所� from their league.
害羞草研究所淲e are disappointed 害羞草研究所� but not surprised 害羞草研究所� that the five defecting clubs now intend to drop out of the AJHL to immediately participate in an unsanctioned exhibition series,害羞草研究所� the AJHL said in a statement on Feb. 1. 害羞草研究所淔or the past week, they have repeatedly denied any agreement with the BCHL, but today害羞草研究所檚 admission of 害羞草研究所榝inalized franchise agreements and integration害羞草研究所� has helped clarify their true position.害羞草研究所�
The BCHL害羞草研究所檚 newest teams begin play Feb. 2, and the schedule can be viewed
Details for the post-season competition will be announced at a later date, the league said.
害羞草研究所淭his is a historic day for our franchise,害羞草研究所� said Ryan Papaioannou, the Brook Bandits害羞草研究所� head coach and general manager. 害羞草研究所淎fter thorough consideration, we are confident the BCHL gives our players the best opportunity to compete at the highest level for college tracking players in Canada.害羞草研究所�
