The Alberta Junior Hockey League held its 2013 Semi-Annual Meeting on November 23rd in Red Deer, Alberta. The one-day meeting of the AJHL Board of Governors included important discussions on the future of the AJHL in the areas of hockey operations, administration and player safety.
“I would like to thank the AJHL Board of Governors and AJHL Staff for their participation in this past weekend's Semi-Annual Meeting,” said AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk. “It is critical that as a group we continue to take a proactive approach to our game both on and off the ice. Our game is constantly changing and we need to ensure that all members are provided with the opportunity to voice their opinions and views on League matters.”
A summary of the decisions approved at the 2013 AJHL Semi Annual Meeting are listed below:
Fort McMurray was selected as the host of the 2015 Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup. The champions of the British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, and Manitoba Junior Hockey League will participate in a five-team tournament with the host Fort McMurray Oil Barons for the 2015 Western Canada Cup. The 13-game tournament will include a round-robin schedule followed by two semifinal games and a championship game. The Western Canada Cup Champion and the runner-up will both represent Western Canada at the 2015 RBC Cup National Junior A Championship.
The communities of Brooks and Lloydminster also presented host bids to the AJHL Board of Governors. “Congratulations to the community of Fort McMurray and the Oil Barons on its selection to host the 2015 Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup”, said AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk. “All three AJHL communities presented high quality bids and were qualified to execute an amazing event.”
The AJHL established a sub committee following the 2013 AJHL AGM in May to review the option of an AJHL Draft. The committee presented an analysis of the concept, including format options, advantages / disadvantages, and the effects it has on player recruitment, registration and scouting. The proposal was tabled to the 2014 AGM while all teams further explore the preference of their organization.
The 8th Annual AJHL Showcase will return to Spruce Grove for the 2014-2015 season. The event will be held at the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre in September 2014.
The League also held preliminary discussions on roster composition, player registration and playing rules, which will be voted on at the 2014 AJHL Annual General Meeting and, if approved, implemented in the 2014-2015 season.
The 2014 AJHL Annual General Meeting will take place in Red Deer, Alberta on May 23rd & 24th, 2014.