Bill Andrew (Calgary Canucks) Named Recipient of Ken Bracko Award as AJHL Executive of the Year
The Lloydminster Bobcats hosted the 2025 AJHL Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors as well as the Annual AJHL General Managers & Coaches Meeting and League Scheduling Meeting on May 28th & 29th. The two-date event also included a tour of the Cenovus Energy Hub, the new home of the Lloydminster Bobcats which is set to open this Fall.
The league-wide gathering opened with recognition of the Calgary Canucks, who not only claimed the Centennial Cup National Jr A Championship for the first time in 30 years, but also served as outstanding hosts of the event that put a spotlight on Junior A hockey for 10 remarkable days in Alberta!
The AJHL will retain its structure with two divisions for the 2025-26 season – the AJHL North Division and AJHL South Division. The regular season will feature a 54-game schedule for each team, including four games versus each member of the opposite division and six games against teams within the division. The AJHL will also introduce a unique new format for the AJHL Showcase in the off-season. The complete 2025-26 League Schedule will be announced in mid-June.
The 2026 Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL Playoffs will see the top four teams in each division advance to determine a Division Champion by the conclusion of Round Two. The South Division Champion and North Division Champion will then compete in the 2026 Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL Final. Each series will be a best-of-seven with the highest placed seed meeting the lowest placed seed in the division.
In June 2025, the AJHL along with its partners will announce Phase Two of the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM). The unprecedented collaboration between the four western provinces, Junior A leagues and the Western Hockey League (WHL) led to immediate changes for junior hockey in Western Canada in the 2024-25 season. The success was a result of standardizing the rules of play, increasing opportunities for our athletes through revisions to roster composition and player movement, and strengthening the development pathway for players, coaches and officials.
Bill Andrew of the Calgary Canucks was presented with the 2024-25 Ken Bracko Award as AJHL Executive of the Year. Bill has been involved with the Canucks organization for over a decade. His initial introduction with the Canucks was at the invitation of Ken Bracko. Bill’s generous sponsorship at the time was key in keeping the franchise afloat. Bill subsequently sat on the Canucks Board and was there to lead and guide the franchise after Ken Bracko’s passing. It was three years ago that his leadership took on a new level – ushering in what can only be described as a complete transformation of the franchise. When Bill assumed a more active leadership role, the Canucks were facing daunting challenges both on and off the ice. The organization was in desperate need of vision, structure, and belief. Under Bill’s steady hand, the Canucks have undergone one of the most remarkable turnarounds in AJHL history.
Bill’s leadership extends far beyond team success. He has been a consistent and passionate supporter of league-wide initiatives, programs and strategic efforts. His ability to build relationships, elevate standards, and lead with integrity has earned him the respect of colleagues throughout the AJHL. Bill Andrew’s dedication, work ethic and visionary leadership have redefined what is possible within Junior A hockey. The turnaround he has led with the Calgary Canucks is unprecedented, and his contributions to the league as a whole have been nothing short of extraordinary.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is operating under the direction of Chairman Greg Wood and Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk, as well as Charla Flett (Executive Director), Fran Gow (Vice President, Hockey Operations), Colin Watt (Vice President, Officiating) and Dean Laschowski (Video Review Manager).
The AJHL Management Committee will include returning members Blair Christianson (Drumheller Dragons), Ray Mildenberger (Grande Prairie Storm) and Shane Tomayer (Lloydminster Bobcats) as well as newly appointed member Reid Costley (Canmore Eagles). A special thank you to outgoing committee members David Fitzgerald and Blake Parker for their outstanding dedication and leadership.
The AJHL Board of Governors will hold the 2025-26 Semi-Annual Meeting in the AJHL community of Devon, AB in November 2025.
