BCHL adds five of Alberta’s top Jr. A teams

The British Columbia Hockey League has announced that the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints will move over from the Alberta Junior Hockey League for the 2024-25 campaign.

The move comes as the BCHL had previously withdrawn its membership from the Canadian Junior Hockey League in March of 2021. This past May, the BCHL became fully independent from Hockey Canada with the league claiming they were hoping to recruit more younger players.

The BCHL currently has 17 teams, with the Penticton Vees and Surrey Eagles sitting tied for first with 52 points so far.

Speculation around the move has circled around Junior A hockey circles for years now. The move is especially big for the AJHL, with Brooks and Spruce Grove combining for the past 12 AJHL titles. The Bandits have won the Centennial Cup as the CJHL’s national Jr. A champion the past three years, and are considered favorites to challenge for the title again in Oakville in 2024.

Of note, Okotoks is scheduled to host the 2025 Centennial Cup.

For a while, the NCAA has been one of the best sources for NCAA recruitment. Notable alumni include Devon Toews, Carey Price, Kent Johnson, Milan Lucic, Andrew Ladd, and Jamie Benn, with 404 former BCHL alums making opening night NCAA Division I rosters this year.