Here’s the latest.
The Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints are jointly denying that they have entered into any agreements to leave the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The teams in statements Thursday said they have full intentions of fulfilling their commitments for the remainder of this season and disagree with a decision by the AJHL to cancel games.
“We have not entered into any agreement to leave any of those organizations, nor have we made any announcement to that effect,” the teams said in statements each posted to social media.
This comes after the British Columbia Hockey League appeared to confirm reports the teams were leaving the Alberta league to join its league.
“The British Columbia Hockey League has announced that it has come to terms with five Alberta-based teams to join the league for the 2024-25 season,” it said in a Jan. 20 statement.
The conflicting stories have left the AJHL confused. It posted a statement Friday requesting clarity.
“The AJHL is aware of the contradictory statements coming from the BCHL and the five defecting clubs, and the negative impact they are having on our players and their families,” it said.
It pointed out the denial from the teams contradicts what the BCHL said.
“Given the suggestion by the five clubs that the BCHL issued a false statement, and the inconsistent and conflicting information coming from the five clubs themselves, the AJHL is calling on the BCHL and the clubs to provide immediate clarification.”
The latest also comes just a day after the AJHL announced more game cancellations.
The AJHL says the five teams can continue to play games amongst each other, but not against any other AJHL clubs.
