The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has cancelled the Jan. 26 game between the Bonnyville Pontiacs and the Spruce Grove Saints due to five teams relocating to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
Refunds will be available for tickets holders if the game is not rescheduled.
Last week, the AJHL announced five teams were relocating to the BCHL for the 2024-25 season which includes the Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Spruce Grove Saints, Okotoks Oilers and Sherwood Park Crusaders.
Bonnyville Pontiacs Associate General Manager Neil Langridge would not comment publicly on the matter. However, in an email addressed to Pontiacs fans, sponsors and supporters Jan. 25, he stated, "The Bonnyville Pontiacs remain dedicated to our players and community to ensure that the best interests of all stakeholders remains at the forefront."
In an AJHL statement released today, the league noted, "We continue to evaluate the best path forward after reviewing Saturday's BCHL announcement that five of our teams have decided, in the middle of our current season, to leave the AJHL to play unsanctioned hockey beginning in the 2024-25 season.
"We are responding by taking steps to protect the competitive integrity of the AJHL and CJHL playoff system and to ensure the safety of our players and officials. To this end, until further notice, we have cancelled all upcoming games scheduled to be played between these five defecting teams and the remaining eleven teams at the core of our league. Games previously scheduled among these eleven teams will continue as scheduled. Out of respect for the players on the five defecting teams, we will allow scheduled games among these clubs to proceed," according to the statement posted on the AJHL website.
"We are working diligently with our partners - including the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada - to find a resolution to this unusual situation created by the five defecting teams and the BCHL and will provide further updates as decisions are made.
"The AJHL's stated vision is to create an environment that inspires trust and confidence among our organizations, athletes, fans, partners and stakeholders. We continue to be the premier developmental league in Canada for student-athletes striving to capitalize on their athletic and academic abilities. We are disappointed by the recent announcement but look forward to providing our fans with more exciting AJHL hockey in the months and years ahead."
Currently, the implication for team standings and playoff format is still unknown.
The Pontiac’s next game will be played against the Drumheller Dragons Jan. 28 at the RJ Lalonde arena starting at 2 p.m.
