The Spruce Grove Saints are undergoing a significant transition as they prepare for their first full season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) after being removed from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in January of this year. This decision came after rumours circulated that five Alberta teams, including the Saints, were planning to join the BCHL at the end of the season. While the move marks the end of a 60-year tenure in the AJHL for the Saints, head coach Ryan Marsh is excited for the team’s new chapter. He has been working hard to integrate new additions to the team and foster healthy competition within the roster.
One of the main draws of the BCHL for the Saints is the perceived higher level of competition compared to the AJHL. The independent league allows teams to have up to 20 out-of-province players, with two of them potentially coming from outside of North America. This feature enables the Saints to recruit top talent from across North America who are looking to make a name for themselves and attract interest from NCAA schools. The increased quality of play in the BCHL has already garnered attention from scouts and recruiters, offering players like Saints centre Ryan Johnstone and forward Ethan Kronewitt enhanced opportunities for advancement in their careers.
The players on the Saints roster are excited about the prospect of facing tougher competition in the BCHL, believing that it will push them to improve and reach new heights in their hockey careers. Ryan Johnstone, in particular, is looking forward to showcasing his skills against top-calibre opponents in the hopes of catching the eye of NCAA schools. Ethan Kronewitt shares this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for the heightened challenge that the BCHL will provide. The players are grateful for the unwavering support of the Spruce Grove community and are eager to continue engaging with fans as they embark on this new chapter in their hockey journey.
The Saints’ departure from the AJHL to join the BCHL aligns with a trend that has seen other Alberta teams, including the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, and the Sherwood Park Crusaders, make a similar transition. These moves reflect a shifting landscape in junior hockey, with teams seeking new opportunities and challenges in different leagues. While leaving behind a longstanding affiliation with the AJHL may be bittersweet for the Saints and their fans, the allure of competing at a higher level in the BCHL presents an exciting prospect for the team’s future. The Saints are focused on making the most of this transition and continuing to build on their legacy as a respected and competitive hockey franchise.
