Five AJHL teams set to join the BCHL next season

[CMPunk]

Blackfalds, Okotoks, Brooks, Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove are all leaving the AJHL next season. The AJHL didn't find out about this until the BCHL sent out a press release: https://bchl.ca/bchl-agrees-to-terms...ta-based-teams

I have no idea how the Alberta teams are gonna pull off the travel.

[TheScorpion]

Very infrequent trips to the coast — mostly games against the other Alberta teams and Cranbrook, plus the occasional trip to the interior.

I'm very curious as well but it'll be manageable.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Very infrequent trips to the coast — mostly games against the other Alberta teams and Cranbrook, plus the occasional trip to the interior.

I'm very curious as well but it'll be manageable.

I'm sure it will be, but just think it's silly to be part of a league where you don't play half the teams. Might as well form your own league if you're just going to play against the same four or five teams over and over.

[Roof-Daddy]

But why? What did the AJHL do (or not do) to cause these teams to leave the league?

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

But why? What did the AJHL do (or not do) to cause these teams to leave the league?

I'm guessing these teams don't want to be under the thumb of Hockey Canada anymore.

[Whynotnow]

[QUOTE=Roof-Daddy;8956714]But why? What did the AJHL do (or not do) to cause these teams to leave the league?[

Nm

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

I'm guessing these teams don't want to be under the thumb of Hockey Canada anymore.

This is exactly why. Being under Hockey Canada means they can’t recruit Europeans (among other issues), and these teams are losing players to the BCHL. And the travel is actually easier this way because the BC games are same day travel, whereas at this point they go to Ft. McMurray and play back-to-back. So yeah, they have that one trip to the coast, but it should work out cheaper.

There are issues though. Like for a lot of these team they make no money without playoffs. Can they compete against some the super wealthy BCHL franchises? And along with that, they don’t want to join the league and immediately be the worst teams in the league. I know it’s the top 4, but that’s a significant potential issue.

[Drake]

Hockey Canada hasn’t evolved. Not surprising. I've heard there's going to be a team playing out of Silent Ice in Nisku too.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by Drake

Hockey Canada hasn’t evolved. Not surprising. I've heard there's going to be a team playing out of Silent Ice in Nisku too.

I think the owners of Silent Ice already own the Spruce Grove Saints, so interesting to hear this.

[DoubleK]

Wow.

This really sucks for the remaining teams.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Slava

And the travel is actually easier this way because the BC games are same day travel, whereas at this point they go to Ft. McMurray and play back-to-back. So yeah, they have that one trip to the coast, but it should work out cheaper.

What the what? How can you possibly think this?

South teams make one trip a year to Ft Mac.

There is no possible way that travel for an Alberta team playing in BC is cheaper. Or even the same day.

The longest south division trip was Canmore to Drumheller.

[MoneyGuy]

This will be hard on players with their studies.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

What the what? How can you possibly think this?

South teams make one trip a year to Ft Mac.

There is no possible way that travel for an Alberta team playing in BC is cheaper. Or even the same day.

The longest south division trip was Canmore to Drumheller.

That’s what I would’ve thought also, but I have it on very good authority that this is the case.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Slava

That’s what I would’ve thought also, but I have it on very good authority that this is the case.

Your contact must be speaking about a subsidy.

The closest team is Salmon Arm. It's math.

[EldrickOnIce]

The AJHL has canceled weekend games involving the teams leaving. Will be interesting to see what happens next

[Drake]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

The AJHL has canceled weekend games involving the teams leaving. Will be interesting to see what happens next

AJHL has already suspended the five teams leaving for the remainder of the season.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Your contact must be speaking about a subsidy.

The closest team is Salmon Arm. It's math.

Well, aside from the other four in Alberta? I thought it was similar to what you’re saying and was told otherwise.

Those whole thing is really interesting though. The league suspended teams and cancelled games yesterday, but Okotoks and Spruce Grove still played (both teams that are heading to the BCHL). But it’s interesting from another angle, in that all these teams are in good standing with Hockey Canada and the league. Can you really suspend them? (Honest question because I’m not a lawyer and I’d expect it’s a legal issue.)

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well, aside from the other four in Alberta? I thought it was similar to what you’re saying and was told otherwise.

Those whole thing is really interesting though. The league suspended teams and cancelled games yesterday, but Okotoks and Spruce Grove still played (both teams that are heading to the BCHL). But it’s interesting from another angle, in that all these teams are in good standing with Hockey Canada and the league. Can you really suspend them? (Honest question because I’m not a lawyer and I’d expect it’s a legal issue.)

Im guessing it depends on the language in the leagues charter.

Unlikely it has provisions for what is happening here but probably touches on reasons that franchises could face disciplne.

What a complete and utter disaster this is going to end up being though.

[transplant99]

So the travel would have to increase with the BCHL planning on doing this,

The addition of five Alberta teams bumps the BCHL up to 22 teams, and one source says that the plan is to realign from the current two divisions to two conferences with two divisions apiece.

The five Alberta teams would be joined by the Cranbrook Bucks in Interior East. Interior West would feature the Penticton Vees, Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Trail Smoke Eaters, Vernon Vipers and West Kelowna Warriors.

Coastal West would be made up of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Nanaimo Clippers, Powell River Kings and Victoria Grizzlies. Coastal East would be home to the Chilliwack Chiefs, Coquitlam Express, Langley Rivermen, Merritt Centennials, Prince George Spruce Kings and Surrey Eagles.

https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey...9-ec5eb3ef7f0b

[Strange Brew]

So Cranbrook plays in a division with Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove and not Penticton? Who did they piss off?