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(Image Credit: British Columbia Hockey League)
By Dave Lueneberg
League currently has five Alberta-based teams

BC Hockey League looking to expand further into Alberta markets as part of growth plan

Jun 3, 2026 | 1:53 PM

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) has come out to say it’s looking at supplementing the number of teams it has, and Alberta is one of the markets it’s seriously considering.

The BCHL, which recently held its Annual General Meeting at Rogers Place in Vancouver, re-affirmed a growth plan established back in October that it outlined as “strategic growth in markets that push forward the league’s mandate in delivering a first-class athlete and community experience.”

On Wednesday, Director of Communications, Jesse Adamson, confirmed the 20-team Tier 1 league was exploring all its options, including bringing in more Alberta teams into the fold, as well as strategic growth within British Columbia and cross-border expansion. According to league officials, this growth will focus on communities, facilities and ownership groups that meet the standards set by the BCHL.

“Part of that (the growth plan) was identifying markets. We are in a growth phase for our league, and Alberta expansion is a key priority in that,” Adamson reiterated.

“We don’t necessarily have markets we’re prepared to talk about publicly at this moment, but the idea for us is to further expand into Alberta.”

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The growth plan highlights four key points:

·       Protecting the quality of the league’s product

·       Ensuring league-wide financial stability

·       Building sustainable value for current and potential future franchises

·       Continuing to enforce the BCHL’s role as a development pathway for student athletes

Adamson termed the addition of five teams in the 2024-25 season as a success for the league.

“So, we’re looking to grow that footprint in the province,” Adamson concluded.

The five former Alberta Junior Hockey League teams: the Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Sherwood Park Crusaders, Spruce Grove Saints, and Okotoks Oilers, were in their own separate division this past season, after the league shrunk from 21 to 20 with the departure of the Merritt Centennials to the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League which, as of June 1, has come under the newly-formed  BC Hockey Conference, a Tier 1 league sanctioned by BC Hockey and under the umbrella of Hockey Canada.

Meantime, the board also voted in favour of reducing the roster maximum to 23 players, plus the option of an additional roster spot for a third goalie. Previously, the maximum was 25 players with an extra spot for a third goalie.

Governors approved this change with the goal of providing increased opportunities to players from alliance leagues to be called up when needed, while ensuring BCHL athletes are actively participating and developing.

In 2023, the BCHL made the decision to break away from Hockey Canada, citing unfair eligibility restrictions.

The Alberta junior league, meantime, is comprised of 12 teams ranging geographically from Fort McMurray in the north to Calgary in the south.

Pattison Media has reached out to AJHL commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk for comment on our story.

by Dave Lueneberg

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