Junior hockey controversy leads to big suspensions for five teams

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Tom Banks
January 20, 2024 (7:44 PM)

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Two of the AJHL's departing teams do battle.

Photo credit: High River Online

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has been Alberta's premier junior hockey league for the past sixty years, but now the future of the league is officially in doubt.

Recently, the AJHL was shocked by the revelation that five teams, the Brooks Bandits, Spruce Grove Saints, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders, and Blackfalds Bulldogs will all be departing at seasons end.

That departure will lead them to the BCHL to create a major junior league in the West of Canada, but what will happen to those teams for the remainder of the 2023-24 season?

According to a user on X, those five teams have all been suspended indefinitely, with the future of the league completely up in the air.

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-

With the league of 16 now seemingly down to 11, the future of the AJHL is uncertain, but with a talented player base, there's a chance this could be something special. For now, only time will tell, and we will bring updates as they come in regarding this unique situation.

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Insider reveals likely timeline for Corey Perry's return to the NHL

Hall of famer Patrick Roy hired by the New York Islanders

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20 JANVIER \| 624 ANSWERS Junior hockey controversy leads to big suspensions for five teams Was this the right move for the AJHL?
Yes	405	64.9 %
No	219	35.1 %
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