By Troy Gillard

Pandemic pause

AJHL delays regular season

Aug 14, 2020 | 1:27 PM

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) has postponed the start of its 2020-21 Regular Season and will commence with what it’s calling a Development Season beginning August 31.

“Within the current boundaries of Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey Plan and Stage 2 of Alberta’s Relaunch, the AJHL is unable to enter regular season competition at this time,” the league announced on Friday. “The League continues to have progressive discussions with the Alberta government on safety measures to protect players, staff and fans as the AJHL advances into its Development Season.”

League officials say the Development Season will meet the needs of both the AJHL and its athletes by allowing teams to actively prepare for the upcoming season while providing players an opportunity for high-calibre training and development.

Training Camps will be permitted to begin as early as August 31 in all 15 AJHL communities and will run until the AJHL embarks on regular season play.

The league says Invited players will have the option to register for a respective team’s Development Season or opt out of the camp.

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

Apr 02, 2026

“As anxious as we all are to return to competition and embrace our communities, public safety and the safety of our athletes has to be the priority,” said AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk. “The opportunity for an AJHL Development Season will amplify the League’s ability to provide our athletes with a valuable experience through the quality instruction of our coaches and access to team training resources.”

Bartoshyk says the AJHL will be ready to “immediately resume regular season competition when provincial regulations allow.”