The Alberta Junior Hockey League was arguably Hockey Canada’s top Junior A league heading into the 2023-2024 season. The in season defection of five teams to the British Columbia Hockey League, certainly shook the AJHL’s remaining members.
Roughly four months later, and the AJHL has not only restabilized, but is looking forward and planning for the addition of more teams.
TJHN has learned from multiple sources that Devon Alberta has been awarded an expansion franchise for the 2024-2025 season.
Devon Alberta was long roumored to be the prefered location for a relocation bid of the Whitecourt Wolverines franchise. The move was blocked by the former owner of the Wolverines franchise when he acted upon his right of first refusal to reclaim ownership of the Wolverines.
Unconfirmed reports have Whitecourt retaining its franchise through the return of its former owner regaining control of the franchise. This allowing for the ownership group that operated in Whitecourt this season to gain the expansion franchise in Devon.
Devon Alberts is a small suburb south west of Edmonton. Devon’s Dale Fisher Arena will be the home of the expansion franchise. While the arena now has limited seating, an expansion project is said to be in the works for the near future.
TJHN has also learned that another expansion application was heard, but another AJHL team objected to that plan, and it has been tabled to be reviewed for the 2025-2026 season.
As the AJHL looks forward, its member clubs are also looking forward. Player identification camps are already taking place, whith players committing to AJHL clubs very early.
TJHN will update this story and other stories coming out of Western Canada as more information becomes available.
