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AJHL lines out 60th anniversary season at AGM

AJHL

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) held the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors as well as the Annual AJHL General Managers and Coaches Meeting in Canmore, AB from May 25th-27th. The Alberta Junior Hockey League is preparing to celebrate its 60th Anniversary in the 2023-24 season.
A new schedule format will be executed in the 2023-24 season with the League moving away from divisional play and to a balanced schedule. All 16 member teams will play each other four times in the regular season plus an additional two games against select opponents at the Annual AJHL Showcase in the new 62-game schedule. The Calgary Canucks will host the 2023 AJHL Showcase at Ken Bracko Arena in September. The complete League Schedule will be announced in mid-June 2023.
Hockey Canada has approved a new facemask policy for all Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) teams. Beginning in the 2023-24 season and in every season afterwards, CJHL players born after December 31st, 2004 must wear full facial protection during participation in all on-ice activities. The birth year and player ages who will be mandated to wear full face protection is outlined as follows: (CJHL players, leagues and teams may opt in earlier)
• 2023-2024 season - 16, 17 and 18 year old players (2005/2006/2007 birth years)
• 2024-2025 season - 16, 17, 18 and 19 year old players (2005/2006/2007/2008 birth years)
• 2025-2026 season - all players must wear full facial protection
The Alberta Junior Hockey League will continue to implement a four-man referee system at all AJHL regular season and playoff games in the 2023-24 season. The League has increased the number of games utilizing the four-man system each season with the 2022-23 season being the first for all games.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League will introduce a pilot program for video review on goals at specific AJHL arenas across the province. The project will be reviewed at the conclusion of the season for the purpose of expanding the program.
The AJHL Management Committee for 2023-24 will include Blake Parker (Olds Grizzlys), Kevin Pratt (Camrose Kodiaks) and Wayne Lauinger (Okotoks Oilers) as the South Division representatives. The North Division will be represented by Ray Mildenberger (Grande Prairie Storm), David Fitzgerald (Fort McMurray Oil Barons) and Jeff Suggitt (Spruce Grove Saints). Special thanks to Noel Moriyama (Brooks Bandits) and Kevin Love (Sherwood Park Crusaders) for completing their terms on the Management Committee.
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), Curtis Nichols (Vice President, Officiating) and Dean Laschowski (Video Review Manager).
The AJHL Board of Governors will hold the 2023 AJHL Semi-Annual Meeting on November 22nd, 2023.

St. Anthony's wraps up track season

Track and Field season at St. Anthony’s has wrapped up and many of the competitors put together their best efforts.
The Senior High team saw eight students come out. The high school team travelled to Foothills Athletic Park in Calgary on May 25 to compete in Zones. Five qualified for Zones.
“We actually had one top-four finisher. Andi Calon in the 800 metres for senior girls with a time of 2:59.46,” said coach Gavin Makse.
He notes she was just off the pace for qualifying for provincials.
Kai Lassen also competed well and finished in the top 8 in the 3,000 metres. He also competed in the 1,500 metre and finished 10th.

The Junior High team saw 14 come out and all did very well with 11 qualifying for Zones. They had two finishing in the top six at Zones. Adrian Ferro placed third in the 800 metres for bantam boys. In the bantam boys 1,500 metres, Joseph Makse placed sixth.
Coach Makse said the team has been training hard in the gym and on the field. For some racers, this was the first time racing on a track. He says the results bode well for the future for these athletes. The team was also coached by Mitchell Orr.

Bantam Titans host four-team jamboree

The Bantam Titans wrapped up their spring season by hosting a jamboree at DVSS on Saturday, June 3.
The Titans invited Hanna, Stettler and Strathmore to play in a four-team jamboree.
“This was the first we have done that, it went over quite well,” said Bantam coach Brad Iverson.
Jamboree format is that each team takes 10 offensive possessions at the 45-yard line and plays through them before switching it up. If a team scores they reset at the 45-yard line. There is no kicking. This format allowed them to run two games at the same time.
Jamborees are very much a development format, where teams get in solid reps of plays. The coaches are on the field behind the plays, coaching and guiding the teams through the game.
“It gets them playing time and a chance to experience it for the kids too because coaches are on the field. There is a lot of learning because it is their first game-like situation against another team,” said Iverson.
Typically scores aren’t kept at jamborees. Iverson said it appeared they stacked up well against their competition, all teams that play in their league.
“In our games, we only gave up two touchdowns and scored 19,” he said.
With that, the Titans are now awaiting the fall season to begin.
“That wraps up our spring season,” said Iverson. “We started at the beginning of May and finished our season with a jamboree,” said Iverson.